Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces fighters in the East Nile district of greater Khartoum. AFP
Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces fighters in the East Nile district of greater Khartoum. AFP
Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces fighters in the East Nile district of greater Khartoum. AFP
Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces fighters in the East Nile district of greater Khartoum. AFP

World

Sudan's warring sides committing horrific abuses, UN report says

Both Sudanese military and Rapid Support Forces recruiting child soldiers

Adla Massoud
Adla Massoud
United Nations

February 23, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

The UN's top human rights body on Friday condemned the “horrific violations and abuses” committed by the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during the ongoing civil war.

A new UN report – based on interviews with 303 victims and witnesses and contains videos, photographs and satellite imagery – stated that the army and RSF have “used explosive weapons with wide area effects, such as missiles fired from fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-aircraft weapons and artillery shells in densely populated areas”.

The report also accused the RSF of using human shields.

Read more

War crimes and others being committed in Sudan's Darfur, says ICC prosecutor

It described incidents in the capital Khartoum in which dozens of people were arrested and held outside near RSF military posts to deter air strikes by Sudanese fighter jets.

“For nearly a year now, accounts coming out of Sudan have been of death, suffering and despair, as the senseless conflict and human rights violations and abuses have persisted with no end in sight,” UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement after the release of the report.

“Some of these violations would amount to war crimes.

“The guns must be silenced and civilians must be protected.”

The report also found that at least 118 people had been subjected to sexual violence, with many of the assaults committed by members of the paramilitary forces.

Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, pose for a picture at the Rapid Support Forces base in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 16. AFP
Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, pose for a picture at the Rapid Support Forces base in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 16. AFP
Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum on April 16 as fighting in Sudan raged for a second day in battles between rival generals. AFP
Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum on April 16 as fighting in Sudan raged for a second day in battles between rival generals. AFP
Sudanese greet army soldiers in Port Sudan on April 16. AFP
Sudanese greet army soldiers in Port Sudan on April 16. AFP
Destroyed planes at Khartoum International Airport on April 17. Reuters
Destroyed planes at Khartoum International Airport on April 17. Reuters
People flee Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary RSF and the army on April 19. Reuters
People flee Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary RSF and the army on April 19. Reuters
A column of smoke rises behind buildings near the airport area in Khartoum on April 19 following the collapse of a 24-hour truce. AFP
A column of smoke rises behind buildings near the airport area in Khartoum on April 19 following the collapse of a 24-hour truce. AFP
People flee their neighbourhoods amid fighting between the army and RSF in Khartoum on April 19. AFP
People flee their neighbourhoods amid fighting between the army and RSF in Khartoum on April 19. AFP
Black smoke covers the sky above Khartoum on April 19. AFP
Black smoke covers the sky above Khartoum on April 19. AFP
Residential buildings damaged in fighting in Khartoum on April 20. AP
Residential buildings damaged in fighting in Khartoum on April 20. AP
Sudanese army soldiers sit on top of a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 20. AFP
Sudanese army soldiers sit on top of a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 20. AFP
People carry Othman Mohamed, a senior general loyal to Gen Al Burhan, on their shoulders in Port Sudan on April 20. AFP
People carry Othman Mohamed, a senior general loyal to Gen Al Burhan, on their shoulders in Port Sudan on April 20. AFP
A Sudanese evacuee is embraced after disembarking from a Spanish Air and Space Force plane at Torrejon de Ardoz Airbase, Spain, on April 24. Reuters
A Sudanese evacuee is embraced after disembarking from a Spanish Air and Space Force plane at Torrejon de Ardoz Airbase, Spain, on April 24. Reuters
People gather as they flee clashes between the RSF and the army in Khartoum on April 24. Reuters
People gather as they flee clashes between the RSF and the army in Khartoum on April 24. Reuters
A member of the Saudi Royal Navy carries a child who was evacuated from Sudan, in Jeddah on April 24. Photo: SPA
A member of the Saudi Royal Navy carries a child who was evacuated from Sudan, in Jeddah on April 24. Photo: SPA
Greek citizens arrive in Greece from Sudan on board a military plane on April 25. AFP
Greek citizens arrive in Greece from Sudan on board a military plane on April 25. AFP
Ali Mazloum, a Lebanese citizen who was evacuated from Sudan, is welcomed upon his arrival at Beirut airport on April 25. Reuters
Ali Mazloum, a Lebanese citizen who was evacuated from Sudan, is welcomed upon his arrival at Beirut airport on April 25. Reuters
Palestinian evacuees from Sudan arrive at Rafah crossing, between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on April 28. EPA
Palestinian evacuees from Sudan arrive at Rafah crossing, between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on April 28. EPA
Black smoke rises over Khartoum on April 28. AFP
Black smoke rises over Khartoum on April 28. AFP
A woman and child evacuated from Sudan arrive in Abu Dhabi on April 29. Reuters
A woman and child evacuated from Sudan arrive in Abu Dhabi on April 29. Reuters
Activists demonstrate in front of the White House in Washington, calling on the US to intervene to stop the fighting in Sudan on April 29. AFP
Activists demonstrate in front of the White House in Washington, calling on the US to intervene to stop the fighting in Sudan on April 29. AFP
Children fleeing Sudan arrive at Wadi Karkar bus station in Aswan, southern Egypt, on April 30. EPA
Children fleeing Sudan arrive at Wadi Karkar bus station in Aswan, southern Egypt, on April 30. EPA
Clouds of black smoke billow over Khartoum as fighting continues on May 1. Reuters
Clouds of black smoke billow over Khartoum as fighting continues on May 1. Reuters
A Sudanese refugee who crossed into Chad cooks a meal in a makeshift shelter at a camp in Koufroun, near Echbara, on May 1. AFP
A Sudanese refugee who crossed into Chad cooks a meal in a makeshift shelter at a camp in Koufroun, near Echbara, on May 1. AFP
People board a Russian military aircraft during an evacuation operation at Khartoum airport on May 2. EPA
People board a Russian military aircraft during an evacuation operation at Khartoum airport on May 2. EPA
A boy holds bullet cartridges as clashes between the RSF and the army continue in Khartoum on May 13. Reuters
A boy holds bullet cartridges as clashes between the RSF and the army continue in Khartoum on May 13. Reuters
A Sudanese girl who fled the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region carries a pot on her way to collect water near the border between Sudan and Chad on May 12. Reuters
A Sudanese girl who fled the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region carries a pot on her way to collect water near the border between Sudan and Chad on May 12. Reuters
Members of staff offload aid supplies provided by the World Health Organisation and UAE Aid from a plane that arrived from the Emirates at Port Sudan on May 5. AFP
Members of staff offload aid supplies provided by the World Health Organisation and UAE Aid from a plane that arrived from the Emirates at Port Sudan on May 5. AFP
The UAE sent three aid planes to support the Sudanese people on May 8. Photo: Wam
The UAE sent three aid planes to support the Sudanese people on May 8. Photo: Wam
RSF fighters gather near the presidential palace in Khartoum on May 1. AFP
RSF fighters gather near the presidential palace in Khartoum on May 1. AFP
A man inspects the damage as he walks near a destroyed building and car in the Azhari district of Khartoum on June 6. AFP
A man inspects the damage as he walks near a destroyed building and car in the Azhari district of Khartoum on June 6. AFP
Wounded Sudanese refugees who fled conflict in West Darfur receive medical support from Doctors Without Borders and health ministry staff at a hospital in Adre, Chad, on June 16. Reuters
Wounded Sudanese refugees who fled conflict in West Darfur receive medical support from Doctors Without Borders and health ministry staff at a hospital in Adre, Chad, on June 16. Reuters
Evacuees from Sudan arrive at Baghdad International Airport on June 18. AFP
Evacuees from Sudan arrive at Baghdad International Airport on June 18. AFP
Suad Fissa, 40, an asylum seeker and factory worker from Darfur, cries as she speaks about her missing children in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 24. Reuters
Suad Fissa, 40, an asylum seeker and factory worker from Darfur, cries as she speaks about her missing children in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 24. Reuters

One woman, the UN said, “was held in a building and repeatedly gang raped over a period of 35 days”.

Both sides have also recruited child soldiers, the report added.

Mr Turk called for “prompt, thorough, effective, transparent, independent and impartial investigations” and for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Last month, International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan told the UN Security Council that there is evidence that Rome Statute crimes – which include genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes – are being committed in Sudan.

The civil war in Sudan broke out on April 15 last year over disputes about the blueprint for a political transition and the integration of the RSF into the military after the removal of former leader Omar Al Bashir.

The conflict has persisted despite numerous international attempts to broker a ceasefire.

Fighting has killed thousands and displaced nearly eight million people, according to the UN.

Sudan's army chief says war crimes are being committed in country – video

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

On sale: now

Price: from Dh195,000 

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Rashid & Rajab

Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib

Stars: Shadi Alfons,  Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab 

Two stars out of five 

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The biog

Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

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OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE

1. Liverpool 101 points

2. Manchester City 80 

3. Leicester 67

4. Chelsea 63

5. Manchester United 61

6. Tottenham 58

7. Wolves 56

8. Arsenal 56

9. Sheffield United 55

10. Everton 50

11. Burnley 49

12. Crystal Palace 49

13. Newcastle 46

14. Southampton 44

15. West Ham 39

16. Brighton 37

17. Watford 36

18. Bournemouth 36

19. Aston Villa 32

20. Norwich City 29

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE CLOWN OF GAZA

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Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

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Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
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RACE CARD

4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m

5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

War and the virus
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Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego  

Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh  

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

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Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
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The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

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Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
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  2. Peter Bone
  3. Ben Bradley
  4. Andrew Bridgen
  5. Maria Caulfield​​​​​​​
  6. Simon Clarke 
  7. Philip Davies
  8. Nadine Dorries​​​​​​​
  9. James Duddridge​​​​​​​
  10. Mark Francois 
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  12. Adam Holloway
  13. Andrea Jenkyns
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David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

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Updated: February 23, 2024, 3:40 PM`
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