KHARTOUM, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 32 journalists have been killed since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in April 2023, the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate announced on Sunday.

"Since the outbreak of the armed conflict in the country, 32 journalists have been killed, and more than 500 violations, including arrests, detentions, and physical assaults, have been committed against journalists," said Abdel Moneim Abu Idris, head of the syndicate.

Abu Idris urged international organizations to step in to protect journalists and establish safe corridors for their evacuation from El Fasher. Last month, the United Nations described El Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state, as the "epicenter of suffering" after more than 500 days under siege by the RSF.

Idris noted that several journalists, both men and women, remain trapped in the city, facing the same hardships as civilians and unable to carry out their work due to worsening conditions.

On Saturday, the syndicate mourned the death of journalist Al-Nour Suleiman, who was killed in a drone strike by the RSF targeting his home in the Al-Daraja Al-Oula neighborhood of El Fasher.

The ongoing conflict between SAF and RSF has forced hundreds of journalists, both men and women, to flee conflict zones and seek safety, with many leaving their workplaces or even the country.

According to earlier figures from the syndicate, around 150 journalists have relocated from Khartoum to other regions, while about 70 have fled to neighboring countries.

The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions internally and across borders, exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis. ■