Sudanese air strike kills seven civilians in mosque attack

In Sudan, a military air strike resulted in the deaths of seven civilians at a mosque in Khartoum North, also known as Bahri, following Friday noon prayers. This attack, reported to have occurred during the ongoing conflict between the army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), highlights the devastating impact of the hostilities that have persisted since April 2023. Pro-democracy lawyers and local resistance committees documented the incident, emphasizing the indiscriminate nature of military assaults in the war-torn region. The ongoing war in Sudan has claimed tens of thousands of lives and has plunged the nation into a humanitarian crisis, bringing it close to famine. Aid agencies report alarming malnutrition rates, particularly among children and pregnant women. The United Nations has raised concerns over the severe humanitarian situation, with estimates suggesting that over 40 percent of the country's population will require food assistance imminently. Both the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, have faced accusations of committing gross human rights violations, including targeted attacks on civilians and the indiscriminate shelling of residential areas. Recent investigations have also implicated the RSF in sexual violence against civilians, signaling a grim reality for the Sudanese populace caught in the crossfire. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have called for immediate international intervention to address the ongoing crisis, particularly in the conflict-ridden Darfur region. The broader implications of the war also point to potential foreign involvement, especially given recent accusations that the RSF has been operating drones assembled in the UAE and launched from Chad. While the UAE has denied providing support to the RSF, the conflict's multifaceted dimensions raise critical questions about international arms transfers and the geopolitical landscape surrounding Sudan. As the violence escalates and civilians continue to suffer, there is an urgent need for accountability and humanitarian assistance to mitigate the catastrophic impact on the Sudanese people.