KHARTOUM, Sudan
The Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have ramped up their attacks on El Fasher, unleashing a relentless barrage of artillery and rockets on densely populated western and southern districts. This escalation has resulted in a mounting civilian death toll.
For the past three days, El
Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has witnessed a dramatic rise in the
intensity of clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied armed
movements on one side and the RSF on the other. The fierce fighting has caused
numerous deaths and injuries among civilians caught in the crossfire.
Despite international and
regional warnings urging the RSF to halt their assault on El Fasher, a city
already reeling from war casualties, the paramilitary group persists in its
offensive. This aggression appears to be part of a broader campaign to seize
control of the entire Darfur region following their capture of the southern,
central, eastern, and western Darfur states.
“The RSF has intensified its
attacks on civilians in western and southern El Fasher,” reported Abdeljabbar
Mohamed Adam of the El Fasher emergency room to Sudan Tribune. “They’re
bombarding homes and government buildings with heavy weaponry, causing a significant
number of casualties.”
He identified Al-Inqaz,
Al-Salam, Al-Wahda, Al-Hijra, Oulad Al-Reef, and Makraka as some of the most
heavily impacted neighbourhoods. These densely populated districts, both in the
south and north of the city, have borne the brunt of the artillery bombardment.
A single shell landing in Oulad Al-Reef reportedly caused extensive damage to a
house and injured at least six civilians.
Meanwhile, residents from the
eastern and northern neighbourhoods, particularly those in Abu Shouk camp, are
fleeing in droves towards the city centre as fighting intensifies in those
areas. The RSF appears to be attempting to push into the city centre, but the
joint force comprised of armed movements and mobilized citizens continues to
resist their advances.
In a press conference held in
Port Sudan, Babiker Hamdin, the Darfur Region’s Minister of Health and Social
Care, vehemently condemned the RSF’s actions, calling them “barbaric
aggression” and a “siege” on El Fasher. He highlighted the plight of thousands
of civilians exposed to the dangers of hunger and thirst due to the conflict,
emphasizing that such actions constitute a crime punishable under international
law.
The regional official further
accused the RSF of hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected
by the fighting and obstructing the flow of commercial goods into El Fasher.
This closure of all major roads leading to the city has caused a significant
spike in food and medical supply prices.
Hamdin issued a stark warning, fearing the complete shutdown of healthcare facilities, as some have already come under fire despite being overwhelmed with the wounded. He implored the United Nations, the International Security Council, and human rights organizations to take decisive action against the RSF, condemning their violations against civilians and holding them accountable.
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