New York: The United Nations (UN) has condemned in the strongest terms the "repeated and deliberate targeting of civilians in the besieged city of El Fasher," the capital of North Darfur State in Sudan, following repeated drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Farhan Haq, deputy UN spokesman, said in a press conference on Monday that these attacks follow a series of operations launched by the RSF last week that resulted in the killing and wounding of dozens of civilians, including an attack on the Saudi Hospital, the last major medical facility operating in the city.
Haq added that other reports indicated civilian casualties in recent days in the Al Koma area east of El Fasher, which is under the control of the RSF. He noted that five humanitarian workers were killed in the same area during an attack targeting an aid convoy heading to El Fasher last June.
During the conference, Denise Brown, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, continued her appeal for an immediate halt to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, stressing that "hospitals, shelters, and places of refuge must never be targeted."
Brown also called for comprehensive and impartial investigations and for those responsible for the attacks in El Fasher to be held accountable.
The deputy spokesperson noted that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain committed to supporting the people of El Fasher and all those affected by the conflict across Sudan, but stressed the importance of "safe and unhindered access for aid," emphasizing that "the protection of civilians and the cessation of violence are top priorities for the people of Sudan."
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed earlier Monday that attacks on Friday and Saturday targeted a site sheltering displaced people in the Al Daraja Al Awwal neighborhood of El Fasher, killing at least 57 civilians, including at least 17 children, including a baby less than seven days old.
