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Human rights

Escalating Conflict in Sudan: Heavy Weaponry and Humanitarian Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The civil war in Sudan continues to unfold with devastating consequences for civilians, as both sides have escalated the use of heavy weaponry in populated areas. The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has documented the deepening human suffering, fragmentation of governance, and militarization of society, fuelling an ever-deadlier crisis. The conflict, now in its third year, has killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced over 13 million Sudanese, according to the United Nations. The brutal fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in widespread destruction and humanitarian crises, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Fact-Finding Mission has warned of the escalating use of heavy weaponry in populated areas by both sides, resulting in devastating consequences for civilians.
  • The conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians and displaced over 13 million Sudanese, according to United Nations data.
  • The crisis has been described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with the UN documenting a sharp rise in sexual and gender-based violence, including gang rape, abduction, sexual slavery, and forced marriage.
  • The SAF and RSF have been accused of weaponising humanitarian relief, with the RSF imposing bureaucratic restrictions and looting convoys, while the SAF has blocked aid and bombed civilian targets.
  • Foreign actors, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, have been accused of backing the warring factions, fuelling the conflict.
  • The mission has documented a grave human rights and protection emergency, marked by international crimes that stain all involved.

Statistics:

  • Over 13 million Sudanese have been displaced due to the conflict, according to the United Nations.
  • The conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians, with exact numbers delayed due to ongoing fighting.
  • The UN has reported a sharp rise in sexual and gender-based violence, with over 1,000 cases documented in the past year alone.
  • The SAF and RSF have been accused of bombing civilian targets, with at least 15 civilians killed in an SAF bombing in Al Koma this month.
  • The RSF has imposed bureaucratic restrictions on aid convoys, while the SAF has blocked humanitarian relief efforts.

Sources:

  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/11/sudans-paramilitary-rsf-say-they-seized-key-zone-bordering-egypt-libya
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/4/11/omar-al-bashir-deposed-how-the-world-reacted
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/2/sudan-pm-abdalla-hamdok-resigns-after-deadly-protest
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/10/sudanese-army-accuses-libyas-haftar-of-joint-border-attack-with-rsf
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/9/uae-denies-supplying-sudan-paramilitaries-with-chinese-arms

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