SHENDI, Sudan – A tragic incident occurred in northern Sudan, where 10 civilians lost their lives in a landmine explosion while traveling by bus. The conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been ongoing since April and has resulted in thousands of casualties and millions of displaced individuals. The victims were en route from Al-Jazira state to Shendi when the explosion took place.
This marks the first incident of a landmine explosion during the conflict in Sudan. Both sides of the conflict, led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, have been accused of committing war crimes, including indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, torture, and arbitrary detention of civilians. Additionally, the RSF has been accused of ethnically motivated mass killings, looting, and rapes.
Despite months of relative stalemate, the RSF has managed to expand its territory throughout the country, gaining control of the western region of Darfur and pressing further south, north, and east. The ongoing conflict has resulted in more than 13,000 deaths and over seven million people being displaced, according to estimates by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project and the United Nations.
The devastating consequences of the conflict in Sudan continue to affect innocent civilians, with the recent incident highlighting the dangers faced by those traveling through conflict zones. The lack of official comments on the explosion raises concerns about the safety and security of civilians amidst the escalating tensions between the warring factions.
As international attention focuses on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, it becomes increasingly crucial for diplomatic efforts to seek a resolution to the conflict and ensure the protection of civilians. The tragic loss of lives in the landmine explosion serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Sudan.