The United Nations has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in ethnically driven killings in Sudan as the country’s brutal civil war intensifies.
According to a new UN report, 2025 has seen a surge in targeted attacks against communities, particularly in Darfur and other conflict-hit regions, as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to devastate the nation.
The SAF recently strengthened its hold on Khartoum after months of fierce street battles, pushing RSF fighters into retreat.
Satellite images and eyewitness reports show widespread destruction in parts of the capital, including burned-out neighborhoods and debris-strewn streets. Even Sudan’s main airport was not spared, with a Sudan Airways aircraft left in ruins after heavy clashes.
The UN estimates that more than 10 million Sudanese have been displaced since the conflict erupted in April 2023, making this one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Many families have fled across borders into Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt, while others remain trapped in areas under siege.
“What we are witnessing is systematic targeting of civilians based on ethnicity, which could amount to war crimes,” said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. “The international community must act urgently to stop the killings and hold those responsible accountable.”
Despite global condemnation, peace talks between the warring factions have repeatedly collapsed. Regional mediators, including the African Union and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), are pushing for a fresh round of negotiations to avert a complete state collapse.
Humanitarian agencies are also calling for safe corridors to deliver food, medicine, and shelter to millions of civilians facing famine-like conditions.
Rights groups are urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate atrocities committed by both sides. Survivors in Darfur have reported mass graves, looting, and sexual violence targeting specific communities.
As the war drags on, analysts warn that Sudan risks becoming a failed state unless a political solution is reached soon.
