Scenes of smoke billowing in the sky over the Sudanese capital on April 16th. | File photo

At least two people were killed, and seven others injured on Sunday during what the International Committee of the Red Cross said was a deliberate attack on its humanitarian convoy in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

ICRC stated in a press statement that it is “shocked and appalled” by the incident which, occurred in Khartoum’s Al-Shajara neighborhood.

It said three of the ICRC staff are among the seven people injured and were rushed to hospital.

“The humanitarian convoy, consisting of three ICRC vehicles and three buses, all clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem, was due to evacuate over a hundred vulnerable civilians from Khartoum to Wad Madani when it came under attack upon entering the evacuation area,” the statement reads in part.

The humanitarian organization did not identify the military faction responsible for the crime.

ICRC said the relief operation had been approved and coordinated with the parties to the conflict, who gave their agreement and provided the necessary security guarantees.

“This attack is unacceptable, and we are grief-stricken”, said Pierre Dorbes, the head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan.

“I am shocked by the total disrespect for the Red Cross emblem, which must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. Our mission today was to bring these civilians to safety.”

“Instead, lives have been tragically lost. My heart goes out to the loved ones of the people killed, and we desperately hope those injured will make a full recovery.”

ICRC says it implements its role of neutral intermediary independently from all parties to the conflict as an impartial humanitarian organization.

The organization said the operation to evacuate vulnerable civilians from Khartoum has now been cancelled until a fresh security assessment can be made.

It further calls for the immediate protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers and medical personnel.

“They must never be directly attacked. Moreover, civilians trapped in areas of fighting must be allowed safe passage from conflict zones and the fighting parties must facilitate this.”