Fighting escalates in Sudan, claiming at least 65 lives

Sudan has been engulfed in intense fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces since April 2023, leading to escalating violence and civilian casualties. On February 3, 2025, medics reported that at least 65 people lost their lives as fierce battles continued in various regions, particularly in South Kordofan and Darfur. In Kadugli, artillery fire caused significant casualties at a local market, while a military airstrike in Nyala claimed more lives in an area under RSF control. Overall, more than 600,000 individuals have been displaced since the conflict began, with large numbers of civilians caught in the violence. As hostilities intensified in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, the United Nations has expressed alarm over grave human rights abuses and the dire humanitarian situation. Civilians, especially children, bear the brunt of the ongoing civil war, which has resulted in widespread famine and malnutrition among the population. Reports indicate that over 25 million people are suffering from food insecurity, a crisis exacerbated by aid issues stemming from foreign aid freezes, particularly following the Trump administration's suspension of assistance. Despite a new commitment from the Biden administration for additional humanitarian aid, the situation remains dire, with families trapped by fighting unable to access essential services and food supplies. Doctors and aid workers continue to sound the alarm about the deteriorating conditions, urging for urgent intervention to save lives. The humanitarian and political crisis in Sudan underscores the chaotic aftermath of a previously successful civilian resistance movement that toppled former dictator Omar al-Bashir, leaving the country in a state of disarray due to internal power struggles.