Sudan civilian killings have surged during the first half of 2025 as ethnic violence and armed conflict intensify. The U.N. human rights office reported that at least 3,384 civilians died between January and June, mostly in Darfur. This figure represents nearly 80% of all civilian casualties documented in Sudan last year.
The conflict began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It has created what the U.N. describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Every day, new reports of violence and civilian suffering emerge.
The majority of deaths resulted from artillery shelling, as well as air and drone strikes in densely populated areas. Notably, many casualties occurred during RSF offensives in El Fasher, as well as in the ZamZam and Abu Shouk displaced persons camps in April.
The report also found that at least 990 civilians were killed in summary executions between January and June. The number of executions tripled between February and April, mainly in Khartoum. This surge followed SAF and allied fighters’ recapture of the city from RSF control in late March.
Witnesses described horrific violence. One observer in East Nile, Khartoum, reported seeing children as young as 14 or 15 accused of being RSF members and summarily killed during SAF search operations.
The Sudan civilian killings underline the devastating human cost of ongoing clashes between SAF and RSF. Civilians continue to face indiscriminate attacks, forced displacement, and extreme insecurity, especially in urban areas and camps for displaced people.
Ultimately, the situation highlights the urgent need for international attention and humanitarian support to protect civilians and address the escalating ethnic violence across Sudan.
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