The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply troubled and dismayed by a deliberate attack on its humanitarian convoy in Khartoum that transpired last Sunday. This distressing incident unfolded in the Al-Shajara neighborhood and resulted in the tragic loss of two lives, with an additional seven individuals sustaining injuries, including three dedicated ICRC staff members. Swift action was taken to transport the injured to medical facilities for immediate treatment.

The humanitarian convoy, a convoy of significance comprising three ICRC vehicles and three buses, all unmistakably marked with the iconic Red Cross emblem, was on a mission to evacuate over a hundred vulnerable civilians from Khartoum to Wad Madani. However, the operation took an unforeseen turn when the convoy came under attack upon entering the designated evacuation area.

Pierre Dorbes, the esteemed head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan, expressed profound grief and condemnation, describing the attack as utterly unacceptable. He particularly highlighted the blatant and shocking disregard for the universally recognized Red Cross emblem, a symbol that holds great significance under international humanitarian law. The primary mission of the convoy was to secure the safety of these vulnerable civilians, yet tragically, lives were lost in the process.

As an organization committed to neutrality and impartiality in its humanitarian endeavors, the ICRC operates independently of the conflicting parties. In response to the attack, the planned operation scheduled for Sunday to evacuate civilians from an area marked by intense fighting in Khartoum has been suspended. This suspension is pending a comprehensive and fresh security assessment to ascertain the safety of future operations.

The ICRC, in the wake of this incident, urgently calls for the immediate and unwavering protection of all civilians. This protective umbrella extends to humanitarian workers and medical personnel who, under no circumstances, should be directly subjected to attacks. Additionally, the organization emphasizes the imperative for civilians trapped in conflict zones to be granted safe passage, a responsibility that lies with the conflicting parties who must facilitate this critical humanitarian effort. As a neutral intermediary, the ICRC stands prepared to resume and continue such evacuations in Sudan, contingent upon the unequivocal commitment of the parties to the conflict to uphold and respect the inviolability of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, symbols that must never be targeted under any circumstances.