UN warns Sudan war is growing 'more dangerous': Video
The United Nations has raised alarm over the escalating violence in Sudan, warning that the ongoing war is becoming increasingly "dangerous" for civilians.
Recent reports from human rights organisations have highlighted ethnic-based attacks by militias allied with the Sudanese army in the central state of Al-Jazira, a development that the UN described as potentially amounting to war crimes and other atrocity crimes.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed grave concern during a press conference in Geneva on Thursday. "There is evidence of the commission of war crimes and other atrocity crimes," she stated, referencing the growing pattern of violence targeting Sudanese minorities in the region, the AFP reports.
Shamdasani further addressed reports of chemical weapon use, including a U.S. report denouncing the Sudanese army’s possible deployment of such weapons. While the UN has not independently verified these claims due to limited access in Sudan, Shamdasani emphasised the seriousness of the reports. "These reports are very worrying, very concerning, and they do require further investigation," she said. "As you know, the use of chemical weapons is explicitly banned under international law."
However, the UN has documented other forms of violence, including the use of heavy weaponry in civilian-populated areas. "What we have documented is the use of extremely heavy weaponry in populated areas, including airstrikes in heavily populated areas and marketplaces," Shamdasani added. She called for an immediate halt to such indiscriminate violence, urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilian lives.
The violence comes amid the ongoing war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been raging since April 2023. The conflict has already caused widespread displacement and humanitarian crises, with tens of thousands of lives lost and millions forced to flee their homes.
This week, Sudan’s military launched an offensive in Al-Jazira, recapturing its capital, Wad Madani, from the RSF. However, the victory has only intensified fears of further escalation and civilian suffering.
