Khartoum: Rhino – The Sudanese Human Rights Observatory condemned the army’s targeting of a civilian passenger vehicle in the city of Al-Nahud using a drone, which resulted in the deaths of seven innocent citizens and injuries of varying severity to dozens of civilians.

The Observatory noted that the targeted vehicle belonged to a local resident known as the “Sheikh of the Qaryoud–Al-Wailiya area” and was carrying civilian passengers on their usual route, with no connection to any military activity.

In a statement issued today, the Observatory emphasized that the incident raises serious concerns regarding the direct targeting of civilians and civilian objects, as well as a clear violation of the principles of international humanitarian law—particularly the principle of distinguishing between civilians and combatants—and the use of weapons in populated areas without regard for the protection of civilian lives.

The incident caused widespread shock among the local population and placed significant strain on health facilities due to the number of wounded, amid a state of fear and panic among civilians in the area, according to the statement, which emphasized the need to immediately cease targeting civilians, launch an urgent and transparent investigation into the incident, hold those responsible accountable for any violations amounting to war crimes under international law, and provide urgent protection to civilians in conflict zones.

The statement called for the immediate dispatch of medical and relief teams to the area, the opening of safe corridors to evacuate the wounded, the professional documentation of the incident for use in international legal proceedings, and the strengthening of protection for civilian transport in areas of tension.