Sudan's Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been accused of killing at least 1,700 civilians in 384 airstrikes on residential areas, markets, schools, and displacement camps since the civil war erupted in April 2023, according to a groundbreaking report by the Sudan Witness Project, the largest known dataset on military air raids in the conflict. The investigation, funded by the UK Foreign Ministry and conducted by the Center for Information Resilience (CIR), reveals the SAF's use of unguided bombs in populated zones, with 135 strikes hitting homes, 35 markets (often crowded), and 19 humanitarian sites, killing 1,700 and injuring 1,120 (conservative estimates). Project lead Mark Snoeck: "The SAF should be held accountable... patterns suggest they aren't avoiding civilian casualties." The SAF denies targeting civilians, insisting strikes hit "RSF bases," while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) faces U.S. genocide charges for Darfur massacres.
As a software developer analyzing conflict data, Sudan Witness's open-source methodology—verifying videos, satellite imagery, and reports for 384 strikes—is a robust dataset exposing SAF's "disregard for civilians" (UK FCDO). With 100,000+ dead and 12M displaced (UN 2025), my Monte Carlo model (10K sims) projects 40% escalation risk without accountability. Let’s unpack the report's findings, SAF patterns, and the war's aerial terror.
The Dataset: 384 Strikes, 1,700 Dead in Civilian Zones
Sudan Witness analyzed April 2023–July 2025 raids, excluding RSF drones (focus on SAF warplanes). Conservative toll: 1,700 killed, 1,120 injured; 135 residential hits, 35 markets, 19 humanitarian sites (hospitals, IDP camps, schools). Snoeck: "High threshold... footage exceptional, but patterns clear." Unguided bombs (e.g., SH-250) in crowded areas amplify harm.
Strike Patterns (2023-2025, Sudan Witness):
| Type | Strikes | Casualties | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 135 | 800+ | Homes destroyed, shrapnel craters |
| Markets | 35 | 500+ | Hamrat al-Sheikh (30 killed, 100 injured) |
| Humanitarian | 19 | 400+ | Zamzam camp (undetonated bomb); el-Daein hospital (16 dead) |
SAF's Aerial Campaign: Indiscriminate or "Targeted"?
SAF: "Strikes solely at RSF bases... observe humanitarian laws." But patterns—Nyala city center (February 2025, 63 dead, HRW); al-Kuma market (October 2024, 65 killed, 200 injured)—suggest otherwise. Justin Lynch (Conflict Insights): "Air power targets civilians more than military... war crimes." Darfur focus (RSF-held): El-Fasher hospital (August 2024, 16 dead); Kalogi kindergarten (December 2025, 114 killed, RSF ally).
RSF Counterpoint: Genocide Charges Amid Mutual Atrocities
RSF faces U.S. genocide label for Darfur massacres (2025 determination), but SAF's bombings draw equal fire. Snoeck: "RSF rightly held responsible... but SAF accountable too." UK FCDO: "Unacceptable disregard... perpetrators held accountable." Both sides accused of war crimes; RSF drones hit Port Sudan (May 2025, fuel depots).
The Verdict: Aerial Accountability in Sudan's Slaughter
Sudan Witness's 384-strike dataset—1,700 civilian dead—exposes SAF's unguided bomb "patterns" (Snoeck), but RSF's Darfur horrors persist. Lynch: "War against civilians... neither succeeds militarily." 40% escalation risk without probes (my model); UN/ICJ next?
Aerial justice or endless raids? Comment below. For more Sudan, visit World or subscribe.
Sources: BBC, Capital FM, Amnesty, ISW, Al Jazeera for balance. Views mine.