Sudan: UN warns of impending ‘full-scale civil war’ as air strike kills dozens

Conflict-torn Sudan is edging ever closer to a “full-scale civil war” that could destabilize the entire region, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned, condemning an air strike that killed at least two dozen civilians and widespread violence in Darfur.

The United Nations chief made his assessment in a statement on Sunday after the air strike on a residential area a day earlier killed at least 22 people in the capital Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman. “There is an utter disregard for humanitarian and human rights law that is dangerous and disturbing,” said Guterres who was also reportedly appalled by reports of large-scale violence and casualties across Sudan’s other regions, including Darfur. He also reiterated his appeal for the Sudanese Armed Forces and its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to stop fighting and commit to a lasting end to hostilities.

This air strike is the latest incident to provoke outrage since Sudan descended into chaos in mid-April after months of tension between the country’s two rival generals. The RSF and associated militia, reportedly supported by the Russian private military Wager Group, have established bases in residential areas, and have been accused of forcing civilians from their homes.

More than 3,000 people are believed to have been killed in the conflict, with reports of sexual violence and ethnically targeted killings. Almost three million people have been uprooted by the fighting, among them almost 700,000 who have fled to neighboring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).