Sudan Conflict: 114 Civilians Killed in Darfur Towns Amid Army and RSF Clashes
Table of Contents
Attacks by the Sudanese army and the paramilitary rapid Support Forces (RSF) on two towns in the Darfur region over the past week have resulted in the deaths of 114 civilians, according to medical sources. the escalating violence highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, wich erupted in April 2023.
Al-Zuruq under Attack
Drone strikes, attributed to the Sudanese army, on the town of Al-Zuruq, controlled by the RSF, killed 51 civilians on Saturday. A medical source at Al-Zuruq Hospital confirmed the casualties to AFP. The strikes underscore the increasing use of aerial attacks in the conflict.
recent reports from a UN visit to El-Fasher – a city also in Darfur – revealed traumatized civilians and reports of mass atrocities, further illustrating the dire situation on the ground.
Kernoi Faces Five Days of RSF Attacks
The town of Kernoi, located 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Al-Zuruq, experienced five days of attacks by the RSF last week. These attacks resulted in 63 civilian deaths and 17 injuries, as reported by a medical source at the local hospital to AFP.
Background: The Sudan Conflict
The conflict in Sudan began on April 15,2023,between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan,and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF),a paramilitary group commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti). The fighting stems from a power struggle between the two generals, initially over the integration of the RSF into the regular army as part of a transition towards civilian rule. Reuters provides a detailed overview of the conflict’s origins.
The conflict has quickly devolved into a wider crisis, with fighting spreading beyond Khartoum, the capital, to other regions, including Darfur. darfur, which has a history of conflict, is especially vulnerable, with reports of ethnic violence adding to the complexity of the situation.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The fighting has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in sudan. Millions of people have been displaced, both internally and as refugees in neighboring countries like Chad and South sudan. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that over 8.6 million people have been displaced as of December 2023. Access to essential services, including healthcare and food, is severely limited, and the risk of famine is growing.
The recent deaths in Al-Zuruq and Kernoi are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians. Continued violence threatens to further destabilize the region and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation. International efforts to mediate a ceasefire and provide humanitarian assistance are crucial to prevent further loss of life and suffering.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)