Sudan: Civilian death toll triples in one week amid escalating hostilities
Date: 2025-02-07
Source: UN News
KHARTOUM, Sudan (Feb. 7, 2025) – The UN Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) today expressed deep concern over the tripling of civilian deaths in Sudan in the past week amid escalating hostilities between government forces and armed groups.
According to UNITAMS, at least 60 civilians have been killed in the Darfur region since January 25, bringing the total number of civilian deaths in the region to over 200 since the beginning of the year.
The majority of the casualties have been reported in the Jebel Marra area, where fighting between government forces and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) has intensified in recent weeks.
UNITAMS said that the escalating violence is having a devastating impact on civilians, who are being killed, injured, and displaced from their homes. The mission also expressed concern about the use of indiscriminate weapons in populated areas, which is putting civilians at further risk.
“The increased violence is unacceptable and must stop immediately,” said UNITAMS head Volker Perthes. “All parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians.”
Perthes called on the Sudanese government to take immediate steps to de-escalate the violence and engage in genuine dialogue with armed groups to find a lasting solution to the conflict.
The Sudanese government has condemned the violence and said that it is committed to protecting civilians. However, armed groups have accused the government of carrying out indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the situation in Sudan on February 10. The council is expected to call on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue.
Background:
The conflict in Darfur began in 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the Sudanese government, accusing it of discrimination and neglect. The government responded with a scorched-earth policy, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians.
A peace agreement was signed in 2006, but violence has continued in the region. In recent years, the conflict has intensified as armed groups have splintered and new factions have emerged.
The conflict in Darfur is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, and many are facing severe food shortages and malnutrition.
Sudan: Civilian death toll triples in one week amid escalating hostilities
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