JABAL AWLIYA: Tragedy struck in Sudan as a paramilitary attack on Jabal Awliya, located to the south of Khartoum, resulted in the loss of at least 10 lives on Saturday. This devastating incident underscores the grim reality of Sudan’s six-month-long conflict, which has now claimed over 9,000 lives.
Activists on the ground reported that the attack involved bombs striking civilian homes within the small town, situated roughly 50 km south of the capital. The local “resistance committee” condemned the violence, highlighting the brutal impact on innocent civilians.
Sudanese volunteer groups, including the committee in Jabal Awliya, have played a crucial role in organizing pro-democracy protests and providing assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict. They have been a source of support for people caught in the crossfire since hostilities erupted on April 15.
The recent attack in Jabal Awliya involved paramilitaries deploying heavy artillery on the town, marking an alarming escalation in violence. Previously, this area had been relatively spared from the fighting that has primarily concentrated in Khartoum and the western region of Darfur.
A paramilitary attack on Jabal Awliya south of #Khartoum kills at least 10 people as the death toll from #Sudan’s six-month war hit more than 9,000 https://t.co/z8aO22kPGY
— Arab News (@arabnews) October 8, 2023
The conflict’s human cost is staggering, with more than 9,000 fatalities recorded by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project as of October. It’s essential to note that these numbers are considered conservative estimates, and the actual toll may be even higher. Additionally, the fighting has forced nearly 4.3 million people within Sudan to flee their homes, with an additional 1.2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
In recent weeks, the violence has extended further south, endangering the safety of over 366,000 people who sought shelter in Al Jazira state, located just south of the capital. Witnesses have reported paramilitary forces setting up checkpoints along the road between Khartoum and Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazira state, which is situated 200 km south of Khartoum.
Khartoum, where millions of civilians remain trapped, has not experienced a single day of respite since the war’s inception. On Saturday, witnesses in the northern part of the city once again reported artillery fire and street battles, highlighting the ongoing turmoil and danger faced by its residents.
The situation in Sudan remains dire, with the conflict showing no signs of abating, and the toll on civilians, both in terms of lives lost and displacement, continues to rise.
