UN warns of rising civilian toll in Sudan’s civil war

The United Nations has warned that civilians are bearing the brunt of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, describing it as a “forgotten conflict.” In its latest report, the UN Human Rights Office said ethnic violence and civilian deaths have surged as the war entered its third year.

The report recorded 3,384 civilian deaths in the first half of 2025, nearly equalling the total number of civilian fatalities in the whole of last year. It highlighted widespread sexual violence, indiscriminate attacks, and retaliatory killings, particularly on ethnic grounds.

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On Friday, local medical groups said at least 43 people were killed when paramilitary Rapid Support Forces carried out a drone strike on a mosque in El-Fasher, North Darfur. Human rights activists also reported further shelling of residential neighbourhoods and displacement shelters in the city.

Since April 2023, the conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF has killed tens of thousands and displaced about 12 million people. The war has split the country, with the army controlling the north and east while the RSF dominates much of Darfur and the south. International mediation efforts have so far failed to secure a ceasefire.