- Introduction
The Darfur Victims Support Organization (DVSO) monitors with grave concern the compounded violations against civilians in Sudan within the context of armed conflict. This includes injuries resulting from military bombardment and the denial of urgent medical care, leading to avoidable deaths. In this context, the organization has documented the injury and subsequent death of Soraya Adam Mohamed Salih (42 years old), a housewife, following a drone strike in Omdurman and the subsequent failure to receive timely and adequate medical treatment.
- Statement of Facts
Based on an interview conducted by DVSO with the victim’s family, including a statement from her daughter, Mawadda, the facts are as follows:
At approximately 12:00 PM on May 13, 2023, Soraya Adam Mohamed Salih and her daughter left their home in Al-Fitayhab, Block 5, heading to “Market 15” for daily necessities. Upon reaching the “Al-Khaleej” traffic intersection, the site was hit by a drone strike belonging to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The strike caused Soraya a fractured right femur and severe injuries to her chest and abdomen.
According to the family, she was rushed to Omdurman Hospital at approximately 2:30 PM, but found it devoid of medical staff. She was then transported to the Military Hospital (Al-Silah Al-Tibbi) in Omdurman. Upon arrival, the family stated that an officer with the rank of Major, identified as (G. F. A.), refused to admit her, claiming the hospital was reserved for military wounded only, despite the family’s observation of other civilians receiving treatment inside.
Due to this refusal, she was taken to the Omdurman Emergency Hospital, where she received limited first aid for her leg injury without a comprehensive assessment of her critical chest and abdominal wounds. She was returned to the family home in Block 14, where she suffered in severe pain for 45 days without access to proper treatment. The family was forced to resort to traditional remedies due to the high cost of private care and the collapse of medical services.
Seeking more affordable treatment, the family later moved her to Sennar State. After eight days, her health deteriorated significantly, and she passed away on July 17, 2023, due to complications from the chest injuries sustained in the strike.
- Legal Framework and Human Rights Classification
The organization views this incident as a compounded violation involving:
1. The injury of a civilian during a military strike in a civilian area.
2. The denial of urgent and adequate medical care, which exacerbated her condition and led to her death.
Under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), parties to a conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants and take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm. Furthermore, the sick and wounded must be respected, protected, and granted medical care without adverse distinction. The refusal to admit a critically injured civilian into a military medical facility—when no other options were available—constitutes a serious violation of the rules protecting the wounded.
At the national level, these acts fall under the Sudanese Penal Code of 1991, involving “Grievous Hurt,” “Causing Death,” and the “Unlawful omission to provide assistance” in life-threatening circumstances.
- Conclusion and Recommendations
The death of Soraya Adam Mohamed Salih is a documented case of a fatal outcome that could have been avoided had urgent medical care been provided. DVSO demands an independent investigation and effective accountability.
The organization calls for the following:
1. An independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the drone strike that injured the victim.
2. Accountability for those responsible for her injury and death, including those who ordered the strike or willfully denied her medical care.
3. Investigation into the refusal of admission at the Military Hospital and taking necessary legal and administrative actions against the responsible officer.
4. Ensuring the right to medical treatment for all civilians during armed conflict without discrimination.
5. Providing humanitarian and financial support to the victim’s family, including psychosocial support.
6. Guaranteeing educational support for her children who lost their mother as a result of this incident.
The DVSO affirms its continued commitment to documenting violations against civilians in Sudan and cooperating with local and international partners to ensure justice and prevent impunity.
