27-05-2025
Sudan Destroys Nearly 50,000 Explosive War Remnants
At least 14 people have been killed and 36 injured in 50 explosions linked to war debris across Sudan, the head of the national demining authority said, as security teams ramp up efforts to clear tens of thousands of unexploded ordnance.
Major General Khalid Hamdan, Director of the Sudan National Mine Action Center, told Asharq Al-Awsat that more than 49,000 explosive remnants have been destroyed so far, including 37,000 large munitions and 12,000 smaller shells.
Similar quantities have been collected for disposal in the coming days in Khartoum, while 8,000 mortar rounds were destroyed in Gezira state in central Sudan.
Hamdan said Khartoum has emerged as one of the most heavily contaminated regions due to the ongoing conflict, with army engineering units currently removing landmines allegedly planted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near the El-Jaili oil refinery, the Salha district in southern Omdurman, and scattered areas in River Nile state.
He warned that the actual toll from war debris could be significantly higher in RSF-controlled areas, where access is limited due to communication blackouts and civilians are often unable to report incidents or seek medical help.
Seven specialized teams are currently deployed in Khartoum to clear unexploded ordnance from critical infrastructure, including United Nations buildings, government offices and banks, Hamdan said.
Additional clearance teams, supported by the Ministry of Defense, are operating in the states of Gezira, Sennar, Blue Nile, White Nile and Kordofan.
Hamdan estimated that $90 million is required to fully remove war remnants and reduce the threat posed to civilians across the country.
He also said the demining mission has faced serious financial setbacks, particularly following US President Donald Trump's decision to halt foreign assistance.
'The UN's mine action office in Port Sudan was on the brink of closure, and only survived thanks to emergency Canadian funding,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Hamdan said the current conflict has made clearance operations more dangerous and complex.
'Before the war, it was easier to identify and isolate hazardous areas. But now, fighting has engulfed heavily populated regions, making awareness campaigns and citizen reporting essential,' he said.
He noted that Sudan was close to declaring itself mine-free before the war reignited widespread contamination. 'The war has reversed years of progress. Unexploded ordnance is now scattered across several states, especially in Khartoum, where the fighting first erupted.'
