{"id":20062212,"date":"2023-12-11T15:47:37","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T14:47:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20062212"},"modified":"2023-12-11T17:36:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T16:36:07","slug":"two-killed-in-attack-on-red-cross-convoy-in-sudan-capital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/two-killed-in-attack-on-red-cross-convoy-in-sudan-capital","title":{"rendered":"Two killed in attack on Red Cross convoy in Sudan capital"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A humanitarian convoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was attacked by Sudanese army soldiers in southwest Khartoum yesterday. Two people were killed, seven others, including three ICRC staff members, were wounded. The convoy came under attack in the El Shajara neighbourhood where it would evacuate vulnerable civilians from the area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement yesterday, the ICRC said<\/a> it was appalled by the \u201cdeliberate attack\u201d on the convoy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dThis attack is unacceptable, and we are grief-stricken”, said Pierre Dorbes, the head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan. “I am shocked by the total disrespect for the Red Cross emblem, which must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. Our mission today was to bring these civilians to safety. Instead, lives have been tragically lost. My heart goes out to the loved ones of the people killed, and we desperately hope those injured will make a full recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The humanitarian convoy, consisting of three ICRC vehicles and three buses, all clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem, was due to evacuate a hundred vulnerable civilians from the area to Wad Madani, capital of El Gezira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) reacted with a statement in which it expressed its regret for the incident and argued that \u201cthe incident occurred as a result of the Red Cross members not adhering to the coordination points that had been agreed upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the initiative of the ICRC, the armed forces agreed with representatives of the international organisation to evacuate civilians (including foreigners of different nationalities) who were present in St. Mary\u2019s Church in the El Shajara area of Khartoum,\u201d the SAF stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe convoy was accompanied by a rebel force in a vehicle carrying a 12.7 mm machine gun. It approached our defence positions, which led to the convoy being exposed to attack which caused several casualties among the organisation\u2019s staff members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Reckless attack’<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Clementine\u00a0Nkweta-Salami expressed<\/a> \u201cdeep alarm and shock\u201d at the news of an attack on an\u00a0ICRC convoy in Khartoum yesterday.

\u201cI am horrified by this reckless attack on an ICRC convoy, which tragically claimed the\u00a0lives of two people and injured seven more, including three from ICRC. … My thoughts are with the families and colleagues affected,\u201d\u00a0the\u00a0humanitarian\u00a0coordinator stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is incumbent\u00a0upon the parties engaged in conflict to ensure the safe evacuation of civilians from areas\u00a0of active combat. This entails an obligation to provide and facilitate unimpeded passage\u00a0for those seeking to leave conflict zones,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n