The use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated Khartoum has resulted in large-scale destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure.656 Indeed, Khartoum has been one of the states most affected by attacks on healthcare facilities since the outbreak of the conflict, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).657 The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan found that both the SAF and the RSF attacked, damaged or destroyed civilian infrastructure and objects, including objects crucial for the survival of civilians.658
According to a report by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health (Yale HRL) and the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA), open-source data revealed that 112 attacks were conducted on hospitals in Khartoum state between 15 April 2023 and 26 August 2024 (including bombing, shelling, forced entry, looting, and shooting into, encircling, or other forceful incidents). An analysis of satellite imagery by Yale HRL revealed that 41 out of a total of 87 hospitals sustained damages in 55 incidents documented through satellite imagery during this period (eight hospitals were assessed as ‘minimally damaged’ and 33 as ‘partially damaged’). Nearly half of these damage incidents were recorded between September and December 2023.659
Ongoing clashes inflicted severe damage to Khartoum city’s water infrastructure.660 Aerial strikes and explosives affected water treatment plants and water pipes, causing severe water shortages in a number of neighbourhoods. Civilians in the Greater Khartoum region were also left with lack of electricity.661 Notably, airstrikes and artillery attacks662 during the SAF’s offensive launched in September 2024 resulted in extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.663
While 2.6 million square metres in Omdurman had been cleared of explosive remnants of war as of early September 2024, Sudan’s National Mine Action Centre indicated that 470 627 square metres remained yet to be cleared.664 Explosive remnants were also reported to be scattered in rural areas north of Bahri.665
- 656
UN Human Rights Council, Findings of the investigations conducted by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan into violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and related crimes, committed in the Sudan in the context of the conflict that erupted in mid-April 2023, A/HRC/57/CRP.6, 23 October 2024, url, para. 124
- 657
WHO, Sudan surpasses 100 attacks on healthcare since 2023 armed conflict began, 24 September 2024, url
- 658
UN Human Rights Council, Findings of the investigations conducted by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan into violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and related crimes, committed in the Sudan in the context of the conflict that erupted in mid-April 2023, A/HRC/57/CRP.6, 23 October 2024, url, para. 139
- 659
Ahmed, Z. et al., Widespread damage to healthcare facilities in Khartoum State, Sudan, Yale HRL and SAPA, 10 December 202, url, pp. 14-15
- 660
Africanews, Cholera fears as Sudan faces a worsening water crisis, 20 October 2024, url
- 661
UN Human Rights Council, Findings of the investigations conducted by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan into violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and related crimes, committed in the Sudan in the context of the conflict that erupted in mid-April 2023, A/HRC/57/CRP.6, 23 October 2024, url, para. 140-141
- 662
OHCHR, Sudan: UN expert calls for urgent protection of civilians in Khartoum amid alarming reports of summary executions, 2 October 2024, url
- 663
UNSG, Recommendations for the protection of civilians in the Sudan, S/2024/759, 21 October 2024, url, para. 8; OHCHR, Sudan: UN expert calls for urgent protection of civilians in Khartoum amid alarming reports of summary executions, 2 October 2024, url
- 664
Sudan Tribune, Khartoum clears over 30,000 explosive remnants from Omdurman, 11 September 2024, url
- 665
CIEDR, Sudan: Heavy rains expose landmines north of Bahri in Khartoum, 5 August 2024, url