Deadly Attacks Target Church And Homes
A Sudanese church was severely damaged in an airstrike by the Sudanese Air Force (SAF), which also destroyed multiple civilian homes and caused loss of life. The attack occurred in the Al-Azba area of Khartoum North, targeting a Baptist church led by Pastor Philemon Hassan Kharata. One congregation member, who is also the church caretaker, sustained minor injuries, while several civilians in the neighborhood lost their lives. The pastor expressed sorrow for the casualties and prayed for comfort for the affected families, emphasizing the value of human life over material losses.
This incident is part of the broader ongoing conflict between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has caused immense suffering in Sudan. The RSF, with ties to the Janjaweed militias, has also been accused of targeting Christian sites in the past, including burning a church in January. The conflict has displaced over 12 million people and caused tens of thousands of deaths. Attempts to restore a democratic transition in Sudan have repeatedly failed due to disputes over military integration timelines between the SAF and RSF leadership.
The airstrike highlights growing concerns about the safety of Sudan’s Christian minority, which constitutes about 4.5% of the population. After the 2019 removal of Omar al-Bashir, Sudan experienced some progress in religious freedoms, including the abolition of apostasy laws and reforms to Islamic legal provisions. However, the military coup in 2021 reversed many of these changes, sparking fears of renewed persecution under Islamic law. Sudan has since been ranked as one of the most dangerous countries for Christians by Open Doors’ World Watch List.
International observers have noted a worrying rollback of religious freedoms, even as Sudan struggles with widespread political instability and violence. The U.S. had removed Sudan from its list of countries of concern regarding religious freedom, but the current crisis may prompt renewed scrutiny. Sudan’s Christian community remains vulnerable amid ongoing conflict, with both SAF and RSF forces accused of contributing to the destabilization and targeting of minority groups.