At least 126 civilians have been killed in a devastating airstrike in Ombada, a municipality west of the capital Khartoum, in what is being described as a “random” attack by military aircraft. The bombing, which occurred on Monday, targeted the Dar al Salam residential area, which is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese army. This tragedy comes amidst intensified fighting between the two sides and exposes the horrific human cost of a conflict that has displaced millions and claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The Ombada Emergency Room reported that at least 120 civilians were initially killed in the bombing, citing a severe lack of medical supplies and first aid equipment in the targeted area. Suliman Abderrahman, a member of the organization tasked with attending to and counting the victims of the conflict in the municipality, told international agencies that the death toll has increased to 126 in recent hours as critically injured individuals succumbed to their wounds.

The airstrikes have resulted in significant disruptions to critical infrastructure in Dar al Salam, including electricity, internet, and all forms of communication, further isolating a community already struggling to survive in the midst of war.

Despite numerous eyewitness accounts and reporting, a military source has denied that the army was responsible for the bombing. However, Ombada has been under the control of the RSF for several weeks and has been the scene of intense battles between the warring parties since mid-April 2023, making such a denial highly implausible.

The fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF has escalated dramatically in the past week, especially after regular forces took control of the strategic city of Wad Madani, south of Khartoum. The army has initiated an offensive aimed at retaking the capital, which has been under RSF control since the beginning of the conflict. The Sudanese army’s objective is to reclaim Khartoum by laying siege to the city from Khartoum North, the neighboring city, and from Omdurman, situated between Ombada and the capital. The army controls large parts of Omdurman, while the RSF maintains a strong presence in both Khartoum and Khartoum North.

The war in Sudan has been marked by brutal violence and widespread atrocities, with both the army and the RSF accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than 14 million individuals have been forced to flee their homes due to the conflict. This latest attack in Ombada underscores the complete disregard for civilian lives by both sides of the conflict, while the denial of responsibility by the army represents a cynical attempt to evade accountability for their indiscriminate actions.

The targeting of civilian areas, particularly when it is acknowledged that medical resources are scarce, underscores the deeply inhumane nature of this conflict. The “random” nature of the bombing suggests a disregard for the principle of distinction in warfare, demonstrating that the lives of ordinary Sudanese citizens are of no importance to the ruling elite. This underscores the urgent need for international intervention to pressure all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities, protect civilians, and address the underlying issues that have fueled this devastating war.

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