UN: Half of Sudan's Population Needs Urgent Humanitarian Assistance

Displaced people who fled the conflict in the Darfur region inside the Adre temporary camp in Chad (Reuters)
Displaced people who fled the conflict in the Darfur region inside the Adre temporary camp in Chad (Reuters)
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UN: Half of Sudan's Population Needs Urgent Humanitarian Assistance

Displaced people who fled the conflict in the Darfur region inside the Adre temporary camp in Chad (Reuters)
Displaced people who fled the conflict in the Darfur region inside the Adre temporary camp in Chad (Reuters)

The UN said that about half of the population of Sudan, about 20 million people, are in need of urgent humanitarian aid.

The UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) confirmed in a press circular on its Facebook page that the number of internally and externally displaced persons due to the conflict has risen to 3.3 million.

The ongoing battles between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces hinder the arrival of humanitarian aid to thousands of civilians stranded in conflict areas in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan.

The two warring parties did not abide by the Declaration of Principles and the truce and cease-fire agreements signed in Jeddah with Saudi-US mediation, which include humanitarian arrangements for delivering aid and protecting civilians and aid workers.

Thousands of Sudanese suffer from catastrophic humanitarian conditions, and over half of the hospitals and medical facilities are out of order in Khartoum following the attacks and clashes.

On Thursday, 16 people were killed and dozens of civilians injured in a drone attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the families of the victims, who described the incident as a "horrific massacre."

Witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat that the massacre occurred after citizens gathered to celebrate and salute the army forces after clashes with RSF in the al-Azouzab suburb in Khartoum. They reported that a drone targeted the gathering, and the number of victims is expected to increase.

The Sudanese army stated that the RSF targeted citizens who gathered to greet the forces, killing 14 civilians and wounding 15 civilians.

- Clashes in Khartoum

Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri witnessed many bloody clashes, resulting in the killing and wounding of hundreds of citizens due to the exchanged bombardment and artillery shelling between the two warring parties.

On Thursday, air strikes, street battles, and artillery fire shook the major southern city of el-Obeid, witnesses told AFP.

A resident of El-Obeid told the agency that artillery shelling targeted paramilitary bases of the Rapid Support Forces. Army jets were striking paramilitaries responding with anti-aircraft fire, said another El-Obeid resident.

Since its outbreak on April 15, the war between the army commander, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his former deputy, the RSF commander, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, killed at least 3,000 people and displaced over 3.3 million.

Burhan appeared Tuesday in rare video footage shortly after an audio recording of Daglo was released.

In the video clip, Burhan is seen in the army headquarters as he greets the army top brass.

The headquarters of the army's general command in central Khartoum is still witnessing clashes, and Al-Burhan has stayed in this headquarters since the start of the war.

Neither side has confirmed complete control of the headquarters yet.

Daglo was last seen in a short video clip the paramilitaries shot in the early days of the conflict. Since then, he has only released audio recordings, and it is widely rumored that he was killed or even injured in the battles.

Meanwhile, relief organizations and other international groups confirmed the occurrence of atrocities in Darfur, including sexual violence.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened a new probe into alleged war crimes in Darfur, its chief prosecutor Karim Khan said last week.

He warned against "allowing history to repeat itself" in Darfur, where 300,000 people were killed in a conflict in 2003.



Qatar and Lebanon Reaffirm Commitment to Dialogue, Regional Stability

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received President Joseph Aoun in Doha (AFP).   
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received President Joseph Aoun in Doha (AFP).   
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Qatar and Lebanon Reaffirm Commitment to Dialogue, Regional Stability

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received President Joseph Aoun in Doha (AFP).   
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received President Joseph Aoun in Doha (AFP).   

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and resolving regional issues through dialogue and diplomacy during a high-level meeting in Doha.

In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of Aoun’s official visit to Qatar, both leaders emphasized the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. As part of this commitment, Sheikh Tamim announced the renewal of Qatar’s financial assistance to Lebanon’s military, pledging $60 million to support army salaries and providing 162 military vehicles to enhance operational capabilities.

“The Lebanese Army plays a vital national role in maintaining stability and securing the country’s borders, and it is essential to provide it with the necessary support,” the statement read.

Aoun’s visit included a series of discussions aimed at deepening the longstanding ties between the two countries.

In a post on social media platform X, Sheikh Tamim said: “Today in Doha, I held important talks with President Joseph Aoun, during which we explored ways to further develop the solid relationship between our two nations — a relationship rooted in cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect.”

“Qatar remains steadfast in its support for Lebanon and its people, and stands ready to assist in their efforts toward recovery, growth, and prosperity,” he added.

The joint statement stressed the shared desire to enhance cooperation across all sectors, strengthen partnerships, and increase trade and investment to serve the mutual interests of both nations.

On regional affairs, the two leaders reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East and reaffirmed the importance of coordinated positions and joint Arab action. They underscored the necessity of resolving conflicts through diplomacy, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in southern Lebanon.

The statement also highlighted the two countries’ unified stance on key Arab issues. Both sides reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions. They also reaffirmed their support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria.