Paramilitary Shelling in Sudan Claims Lives Amid Humanitarian Crisis
A recent shelling by the RSF at the Abu Shouk displacement camp in North Darfur resulted in six deaths. This is part of the ongoing conflict with the regular army since April 2023. The humanitarian situation is dire, with millions displaced and widespread famine predicted in the region.
On Wednesday, paratroopers shelled a famine-stricken displacement camp near El-Fasher, North Darfur, resulting in six fatalities, as reported by local activists. The assault was carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been engaged in an intense conflict with the regular army since April 2023. This attack occurred at the Abu Shouk camp, as reported by a local resistance committee that assists with humanitarian efforts in the region.
The shelling took place shortly after reports emerged of 80 casualties from prior artillery strikes on Tuesday; however, precise numbers of dead and wounded could not be verified. The RSF’s offensive on the camp commenced on Sunday, coinciding with the second day of Ramadan, during which civilians were endeavoring to procure supplies.
The RSF’s continued siege of El-Fasher represents increasing instability in a region where civilians frequently suffer due to sporadic attacks. As the regular army repels these repeated assaults, the majority of Darfur is presently under RSF control, while the army retains areas in the east and north, having made advances in Khartoum and central Sudan this year.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the death of tens of thousands and displaced over 12 million individuals, marking it as the most significant humanitarian crisis recorded, according to the International Rescue Committee. In North Darfur alone, approximately 1.7 million people are currently displaced, with two million facing extreme food insecurity. UN estimates indicate that 320,000 individuals are already facing famine conditions.
Famine has impacted three displacement camps in the vicinity of El-Fasher, namely Zamzam, Abu Shouk, and Al-Salam, with projections suggesting that this crisis may expand to five additional areas, including El-Fasher itself, by May.
In summary, the recent shelling of a displacement camp by the RSF during Ramadan has tragically claimed six lives and exemplified the intensifying humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The ongoing conflict continues to displace millions and exposes the dire conditions faced by affected populations. With famine looming, effective humanitarian intervention remains critical to mitigate this unprecedented crisis in Darfur and surrounding regions.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
