Sudan's Air Force Bombings Claim over 1,700 Civilian Lives

Sat Dec 20 2025 14:17:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent report reveals that the Sudanese Air Force has conducted bombings resulting in the deaths of at least 1,700 civilians. These airstrikes targeted populated areas, including towns, markets, and schools, during the ongoing conflict that began in April 2023.

According to a comprehensive analysis by the Sudan Witness Project, Sudan's air force actions have led to significant civilian casualties, with at least 1,700 deaths and 1,120 injuries attributable to bombings in populated areas. The report raises questions about the indiscriminate nature of these strikes and the military's accountability in the ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Sudan's air force has carried out bombings in which at least 1,700 civilians have died in attacks on residential neighbourhoods, markets, schools and camps for displaced people, according to an investigation into air raids in the country's civil war.

The Sudan Witness Project says it has compiled the largest known dataset of military airstrikes in the conflict, which began in April 2023. Its analysis indicates that the air force has used unguided bombs in populated areas.

The data focuses on attacks by warplanes, which only the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is capable of operating. Its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), does not have aircraft. It launches drone strikes, but drones were excluded from the research.

The RSF has been internationally condemned for allegedly carrying out ethnic massacres in Sudan's western Darfur region, triggering charges of genocide by the United States.

More than 1,700 civilians were reported killed and 1,120 injured in the documented incidents. There were 135 cases involving residential areas, with verified destruction to homes and civilian infrastructure, along with 35 bomb strikes affecting commercial facilities.

Sudan Witness acknowledges the incomplete nature of its research due to difficulties in accessing data from conflict zones but emphasizes the patterns suggesting that the SAF isn't doing enough to avoid civilian casualties.

As the conflict continues, the findings expose a significant humanitarian crisis and raise critical concerns regarding the accountability of the Sudanese armed forces.