Recent Body Discoveries in Sudan Indicate Atrocities by Rapid Support Forces
Red Crescent volunteers in Sharg Elnil, Sudan, uncovered bodies in a well, revealing evidence of severe violence and killings linked to the Rapid Support Forces. Most victims were shot in the head, and reports indicate ongoing atrocities in regions reclaimed by government forces post-conflict. Residents shared fears of approaching the bodies due to threats from RSF fighters, highlighting a climate of terror during their occupation.
In Sharg Elnil, Sudan, Red Crescent volunteers recently recovered bodies from a well following the area’s recapture from paramilitary fighters. These recoveries revealed distressing conditions; most of the fifteen victims had gunshot wounds to the head, and some exhibited signs of having been alive when they were disposed of. Hisham Zain al-Abdin, director of forensic medicine for Khartoum state, noted additional bodies discovered along roadsides and concealed in basements, often tied up and showing evidence of severe violence.
The resurgence of government forces has marked significant advancements in territory once controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been in conflict with the military since April 2023. Following the military’s recapture of areas, officials report alarming evidence of killings previously taking place under RSF’s control. The RSF has not publicly commented on these allegations, historically denying such claims while asserting that individual wrongdoers will face justice. Conversely, they have accused the army of committing similar abuses, which the army refutes.
Residents like Hussein al-Faki have expressed alarm, recounting their attempts to notify authorities about the bodies. Al-Faki indicated that fear of retribution from RSF forces, who warned locals against approaching the victims, hampered their efforts to bury the deceased. “If you got closer, they would shoot you. They scared us, so we ran away and left them,” he explained, highlighting the pervasive fear during the RSF occupation.
The situation in Sharg Elnil underscores the horrors emerging from Sudan’s ongoing Civil War, particularly regarding the brutal treatment of civilians by paramilitary forces. As government forces reclaim territories, the discovery of bodies indicates severe human rights violations. Continued investigations are essential to provide accountability and justice for the victims, alongside addressing the broader implications of the conflict in Sudan.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
