Darfur Victims Support Organization
Report on Airstrikes in Al-Hasasah Locality, Al-Jazirah State
October 8, 2024
The Sudanese Air Force continues to target civilian areas through indiscriminate airstrikes, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of property. On October 7, 2024, Al-Hasasah locality in Al-Jazirah witnessed one of the worst of these attacks, as military aircraft bombed several civilian sites, leaving behind a horrific massacre.
This report aims to document this heinous crime, elucidate its impact on innocent civilians, and emphasize the international responsibility to protect civilians and the urgent need for action to halt these violations.
Incident Details:
Around 2:00 PM on October 7, 2024, the Sudanese military aircraft bombed several civilian sites in the areas of Hala Four, Al-Afifi Pump, Al-Imtidad, the Textile Factory, the French Bank, and Rifa’a Square in Al-Hasasah locality. Eyewitnesses reported to the Advocacy Organization for Darfur Victims that these areas contained no military targets, making this attack a clear violation of international war laws that prohibit targeting civilians.
The assault resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including children and women, and injured two others. Additionally, the home of Omar Al-Basir was completely destroyed, while the home of Al-Sadiq Haj Allah was severely damaged.
Names of Victims:
1. Kifah Abdulaziz (24 years old)
2. Muhammad Abdulaziz (14 years old)
3. Omar Adel (14 years old)
4. Abdulaziz Adel (13 years old)
5. Buthaina Adam Al-Zain
6. Khalid Adam Al-Zain (39 years old)
7. Al-Johari Faisal
8. Abu Ubaida Faisal (12 years old)
9. Reem Hay Allah (36 years old)
10. Saeed Ahmed
11. Ikhlas (mother of the player Bashar)
12. Mazen Muhammad Al-Tijani (10 years old)
13. Al-Tijani Muhammad Al-Tijani (9 years old)
14. Sons of Professor Haj Allah (twins)
15. Aidi
16. Hisko Fadl Al-Sayed
17. Muhammad Bahar
18. Ahmed Abdelwahab
19. Ahmed Danda
20. Osama Muhammad Ab Darb (34 years old)
21. Muhammad Shawqi (13 years old)
22. Mother of Muna Maki
23. Izz Al-Din Al-Jdhar
24. Aisha and her child
25. Haim (mother of Muhammad Dajjah, military in court police)
26. Sons of Faisal Kuri
Injured:
1. Ustaza Al-Surah
2. Hassan Ibrahim (whose roof collapsed during the bombing)
The aerial bombardment targeting civilians in residential areas constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which require all parties to armed conflicts to take necessary measures to protect civilians. The targeting of civilian objects and the intentional killing of civilians are classified as war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The Darfur Victims Support Organization reiterates the Sudanese Armed Forces’ responsibility for these attacks and calls on the international community to take tangible steps to halt these crimes and hold those responsible accountable. The failure to take urgent action constitutes a dereliction of duty in protecting basic human rights and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Recommendations:
1. Immediate Cessation of Aerial Bombardment:
The Advocacy Organization for Darfur Victims calls for an immediate halt to all air operations targeting civilian areas. The lives of civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.
2. Withdrawal of Armed Forces from Residential Areas:
The organization urges the Rapid Support Forces and other armed groups to withdraw from densely populated areas to avoid providing the Sudanese military with a pretext for targeting civilians under the guise of combating armed elements.
3. Prosecution of Military Leaders at the International Criminal Court:
The organization demands the prosecution of those responsible for the airstrikes, including military leaders and commanders of the air force, at the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes.
4. Formation of an Independent Investigative Committee:
The organization calls for the establishment of an independent international investigative committee to examine these crimes, identify those responsible, and ensure accountability before the law.
The massacre witnessed in Al-Hasasah locality is one of the most egregious crimes committed against Sudanese civilians in the current conflict. The international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, must fulfill its responsibilities to protect civilians and take urgent action to stop the ongoing violations.
The Darfur Victims Support Organization emphasizes the necessity of imposing an immediate no-fly zone to protect civilians and calls for accountability for those responsible for these crimes before international justice. The time has come to take serious and effective steps to end this ongoing humanitarian tragedy.
