Sudan's air force has carried out bombings in which at least 1,700 civilians have died in attacks on residential neighbourhoods, markets, schools and camps for displaced people, according to an investigation into air raids in the country's civil war. The Sudan Witness Project says it has compiled the largest known dataset of military airstrikes in the conflict, which began in April 2023. Its analysis indicates that the air force has used unguided bombs in populated areas.
The data focuses on attacks by warplanes, which only the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is capable of operating. Its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) does not have aircraft. It launches drone strikes, but drones were excluded from the research.
The RSF has been internationally condemned for allegedly carrying out ethnic massacres in Sudan's western Darfur region, triggering charges of genocide by the United States. The RSF are being held responsible for a lot of damage and violations, and I think rightly so, says Mark Snoeck, who ran the project. But I think the SAF should also be held accountable for their actions.
The military has also faced international criticism, accused of indiscriminate bombings. The SAF did not respond to a BBC request for comment. But it has previously denied allegations of targeting civilians, saying its airstrikes are directed solely at RSF gatherings, locations, and bases recognized as legitimate military targets.
According to an advance copy of the report obtained by the BBC, Sudan Witness analysed 384 airstrikes conducted between April 2023 and July 2025. The group claims that its documented figures of 1,700 dead, and 1,120 injured are conservative estimates. More than half of the cases involved strikes on residential areas, while markets and health facilities were also frequently hit.
Snoeck states that the main patterns indicate repeated hits on residential neighbourhoods and markets, alongside a disturbing trend of attacks on humanitarian and medical facilities. He asserts that existing patterns suggest the SAF is failing to adequately protect civilian lives.
The conflict has forced millions to flee, leading to crippling humanitarian crises. Frequent bombings of markets have disrupted economic stability, exacerbating the suffering of civilians caught in the war between competing factions. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of war crimes, significantly affecting the civilian population amid the ongoing conflict.
The data focuses on attacks by warplanes, which only the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is capable of operating. Its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) does not have aircraft. It launches drone strikes, but drones were excluded from the research.
The RSF has been internationally condemned for allegedly carrying out ethnic massacres in Sudan's western Darfur region, triggering charges of genocide by the United States. The RSF are being held responsible for a lot of damage and violations, and I think rightly so, says Mark Snoeck, who ran the project. But I think the SAF should also be held accountable for their actions.
The military has also faced international criticism, accused of indiscriminate bombings. The SAF did not respond to a BBC request for comment. But it has previously denied allegations of targeting civilians, saying its airstrikes are directed solely at RSF gatherings, locations, and bases recognized as legitimate military targets.
According to an advance copy of the report obtained by the BBC, Sudan Witness analysed 384 airstrikes conducted between April 2023 and July 2025. The group claims that its documented figures of 1,700 dead, and 1,120 injured are conservative estimates. More than half of the cases involved strikes on residential areas, while markets and health facilities were also frequently hit.
Snoeck states that the main patterns indicate repeated hits on residential neighbourhoods and markets, alongside a disturbing trend of attacks on humanitarian and medical facilities. He asserts that existing patterns suggest the SAF is failing to adequately protect civilian lives.
The conflict has forced millions to flee, leading to crippling humanitarian crises. Frequent bombings of markets have disrupted economic stability, exacerbating the suffering of civilians caught in the war between competing factions. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of war crimes, significantly affecting the civilian population amid the ongoing conflict.
