Urgent Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Over 780 Civilians Killed in North Darfur Siege
The UN reports that over 782 civilians have been killed in a paramilitary siege in El-Fasher, North Darfur, with more than 1,100 injured since April following intense fighting between the army and RSF. The humanitarian crisis worsens as both factions launch indiscriminate attacks on civilians and medical facilities, leaving millions at risk of starvation and prompting urgent calls for international intervention.
A United Nations report has disclosed that at least 782 civilians have lost their lives amid a protracted paramilitary siege in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, with over 1,100 individuals reported injured since hostilities escalated in April last year. The conflict, characterized by fierce fighting between the Sudanese army, under the command of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has devastated the region, endangering countless lives. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized the extensive daily suffering inflicted by the ongoing siege, describing the situation as catastrophic.
The report highlights that the RSF has persistently shelled densely populated regions since May, while the Sudanese army has retaliated with airstrikes and artillery. The intensity of the attacks has surged in recent weeks, with specific incidents resulting in significant casualties at healthcare facilities. For example, paramilitary shelling targeted El-Fasher’s main hospital, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. Additional assaults on other areas of the city have also compounded the toll on the civilian population.
Despite international concern, control of Darfur has largely shifted to the RSF, with the army holding only parts of northern and eastern Sudan. The ongoing conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of over 11 million individuals, and has left approximately 26 million people facing the threat of famine. Both the army and RSF have faced accusations of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and essential medical facilities, prompting urgent calls for intervention to halt the escalating violence, particularly against vulnerable populations such as those in famine-stricken displacement camps.
The UN has urged that all necessary measures must be taken by the international community to prevent further escalations and to facilitate an end to this devastating siege.
Turk warned, “All efforts must be taken, including by the international community, to prevent such an attack and to halt the siege.” – United Nations.
The situation in Sudan’s North Darfur has deteriorated significantly since April of the previous year, marking a resurgence of violent conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF. As the fighting continues, El-Fasher, a city with a population of around two million, has been besieged and subjected to heavy bombardment, inflicting severe humanitarian consequences. Reports reveal that civilians have borne the brunt of these hostilities, with numerous fatalities and injuries resulting from both artillery and aerial attacks. The ongoing clashes have had far-reaching implications, not only causing widespread civilian casualties but also exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis faced by millions in the region.
The situation in North Darfur is a grave humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the violent conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF. The recent UN report underscores the alarming casualty rates, with over 782 civilian deaths and significant injuries reported amidst ongoing assaults on populated areas. The imperative for international intervention and efforts to alleviate the suffering of millions affected by this conflict has never been more urgent. The commitment of the global community to address and resolve this crisis is crucial to prevent further escalation and humanitarian disintegration in the region.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
