In early February 2025, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) conducted a series of airstrikes on residential and commercial neighborhoods in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. These strikes employed unguided air-dropped bombs characterized by wide-area effects and limited precision, resulting in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of property. Reports indicate that scores of civilians, including women, children, and elderly persons, were killed or injured.
Eyewitnesses described devastating scenes in neighborhoods such as Al-Jumhuriya and Al-Cinema, as well as along Congo Road, a vital thoroughfare in Nyala. A local resident recounted the aftermath of a strike near Mecca Eye Hospital:
“The place was completely destroyed and damaged by the airstrike. Many people were killed. One was an older lady… and passengers in a Toyota vehicle, and people passing by.”
Medical organizations operating in the area reported dozens of fatalities and injuries, with emergency services overwhelmed by the scale of the destruction. The population of Nyala, estimated at over 800,000 before the conflict, has endured repeated bombardments since the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of the city in late 2023.
Humanitarian Aid Convoy Attack in North Darfur
On June 3, 2025, a United Nations humanitarian aid convoy traveling to the famine-affected region of North Darfur was ambushed near the town of el-Koma. The convoy, consisting of 15 trucks loaded with food and nutrition supplies, was attacked by unidentified assailants, resulting in multiple fatalities, including aid workers and drivers, and destruction of critical supplies.
The UN described the attack as “devastating,” emphasizing the dire consequences for civilians dependent on humanitarian assistance in a region beset by famine and ongoing conflict. The Sudanese government attributed the attack to the RSF, while the RSF denied responsibility and accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of orchestrating the assault.
Broader Conflict Context
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, is a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”). The RSF, with origins in the Janjaweed militias implicated in the Darfur genocide, controls large parts of Darfur and western Sudan.
The war has caused massive displacement, with over four million people fleeing their homes, and has precipitated a humanitarian crisis described by the United Nations as the worst globally. Cholera outbreaks and food insecurity have worsened, while infrastructure destruction hampers relief efforts.
Military Operations and Their Impact on Civilians
The Sudanese Armed Forces have employed unguided air-dropped bombs in populated areas, including Nyala and Al-Koma, North Darfur. These weapons, by their nature, lack the precision required to distinguish between military and civilian targets in densely populated environments, leading to indiscriminate effects.
The airstrike on June 1, 2025, in Al-Koma’s crowded market killed at least 89 civilians and caused extensive damage. Witnesses reported drones firing missiles that ignited fires and caused mass casualties. Al-Koma has been repeatedly targeted, with over 200 aerial sorties recorded in recent months.
Such attacks raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law, which prohibits indiscriminate attacks and requires parties to distinguish between combatants and civilians. The repeated use of unguided bombs in populated areas risks constituting war crimes.
Stakeholder Perspectives
- Sudanese Armed Forces: The SAF maintains that its airstrikes target RSF military positions and infrastructure. SAF leadership has warned of retribution against those attacking Sudanese people but has not acknowledged civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes.
- Rapid Support Forces: The RSF accuses the SAF of deliberately targeting civilians to terrorize populations and consolidate control over contested areas.
- Local Authorities in South Darfur: Officials have condemned the airstrikes for causing civilian deaths and destruction, calling for an immediate halt to indiscriminate attacks.
- United Nations and Humanitarian Organizations: These bodies have condemned attacks on civilians and humanitarian convoys, emphasizing the need for protection of aid workers and unimpeded access to vulnerable populations.
- International Community: There are increasing calls for sanctions against individuals responsible for unlawful attacks and for independent investigations into violations of international law.
Regional and Strategic Dimensions
The conflict’s regional dynamics are complex. The RSF reportedly receives support from external actors, including the United Arab Emirates, which provides drones and weapons through bases in neighboring Chad. Chad serves as a logistical hub for the RSF, complicating regional security.
The RSF has launched drone and missile attacks on Port Sudan, a key logistics hub on the Red Sea coast controlled by the SAF, disrupting power supplies and humanitarian operations. The SAF has responded with airstrikes on RSF strongholds, including Nyala Airport.
Humanitarian Consequences
The conflict has precipitated a dire humanitarian situation. Displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and destruction of infrastructure have created immense suffering. Attacks on aid convoys and humanitarian personnel further restrict relief efforts.
The June 3 attack on a UN convoy delivering food aid to North Darfur exemplifies the dangers faced by humanitarian actors and the challenges in reaching vulnerable populations.
Legal and Human Rights Considerations
The use of unguided bombs in populated areas violates the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law. Such indiscriminate attacks, if deliberate or reckless, constitute war crimes.
Attacks on humanitarian convoys violate protections afforded under international law and hinder the delivery of life-saving assistance.
The ongoing conflict, marked by violations from both SAF and RSF, underscores the urgent need for accountability mechanisms and adherence to international legal standards.
Recommendations for Action
- Immediate cessation of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas by all parties.
- Protection of humanitarian workers and unimpeded access for aid delivery.
- Independent and impartial investigations into alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
- Targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for unlawful attacks.
- Support for political dialogue aimed at achieving a sustainable peace.
The recent airstrikes in South Darfur and attacks on humanitarian convoys highlight the escalating human rights crisis in Sudan. The civilian toll and destruction of essential infrastructure demand urgent attention from the Sudanese parties and the international community.
It is imperative that all parties respect international humanitarian law, prioritize civilian protection, and facilitate humanitarian access. The Washington Centre for Human Rights calls for coordinated global efforts to promote accountability, alleviate suffering, and support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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