The Sudanese military’s aerial bombardment killed at least 7 civilians at the Sheikh Ahmed Al-Siddiq Mosque in Bahri City, Northern Khartoum, according to a statement made by the Sudan Emergency Lawyers on Friday.

The statement said the incident took place after the Friday prayers. Several worshippers were also injured during the attack which the group described as “indiscriminate.” The minaret of the mosque was destroyed by the violent bombing as well. The statement also documented initial witnesses’ testimonies, suggesting that the attack was carried out by a Sudan military aircraft.

The attack at the mosque succeeds another recent bombardment of Umm Qarin village that resulted in the death of 8 civilians, including two children. It also caused massive destruction of property. The attack was conducted by armed forces, according to testimonies.

These hostilities evidence the trend of humanitarian law violations in Sudan. The Sudan Emergency Lawyers have condemned the belligerents in the ongoing civil war for subjecting civilians to attacks, violating the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law. Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and Article 13(1) of the Second Additional Protocol to the Conventions, both protect the civilian population from military operations. Additionally, they have criticized the belligerents’  defiance of the principles of proportionality and distinction. These are particularly set out in Articles 48, 51(2), 51(5)(b) and 52(2) of the First Additional Protocol. The group also said the use of barrel bombs amounted to war crimes, defined as grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

In November, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights found Sudan in breach of international humanitarian law standards. It encouraged the conflicting parties (RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces) to avoid targeting civilians and their property. It also urged them to negotiate to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire.