In the shattered streets of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, survivors of a months-long siege have shared horrific testimonies with the BBC, revealing executions, sexual violence, and desperate struggles for survival amid the country’s devastating civil war.
Trapped in Crossfire: Khartoum’s Descent Into Chaos
Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), civilians have endured relentless violence. Families hid in crumbling buildings, cut off from food, water, and medical aid, as gunfire and shelling turned neighborhoods into killing zones.
Amina Ibrahim, 32, described how her apartment building became a refuge—until armed men stormed in. “They shot people begging for mercy,” she said, voice shaking. “Children cried beside their dead parents.”
Indiscriminate Killings and War Crimes
Witnesses accuse both sides of atrocities. RSF fighters allegedly looted homes and executed unarmed men, while SAF airstrikes leveled entire blocks. Mohamed Hassan, a teacher, recounted his brother’s murder: “They shot him in the head for having no money. I couldn’t even bury him.”
Women faced systematic sexual violence. One survivor whispered: “They took girls from our building. We never saw them again.”
Failed Escapes and Global Neglect
With blocked roads and sniper fire, fleeing was deadly. Ahmed, a father of three, trekked for days to Chad: “Bodies lined the roads. No one could help.”
Despite 9,000+ confirmed deaths and millions displaced, international aid remains scarce. The UN warns Sudan’s crisis is among the world’s worst—yet fading media attention leaves survivors feeling abandoned.
Fragile Hope Amid Unending War
Local volunteers risk their lives to smuggle supplies, but peace talks falter. For Amina, survival brings no relief: “We’re not alive. The screams still haunt me.”
As the world moves on, Sudan’s agony persists—etched into the memories of those who endured it.
(For verified updates on Sudan, follow BBC and UN crisis reports.)
