Deadly RSF Shelling in Sudan Displacement Camp Claims Six Lives
Recent shelling by the RSF in a displacement camp near El-Fasher resulted in six deaths. This attack is part of an ongoing conflict with the Sudanese military and highlights the humanitarian crisis affecting millions due to widespread displacement and famine in Darfur.
On Wednesday, paramilitary shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at a displacement camp near El-Fasher in North Darfur resulted in the deaths of six individuals, as reported by local activists. The RSF has been engaged in a violent conflict with the Sudanese regular army since April 2023 and launched this attack on the Abu Shouk camp, as indicated by local resistance groups that aid in coordinating relief efforts across Sudan.
The RSF’s assault on the camp commenced on a significant day, coinciding with the onset of Ramadan, during which civilians were shopping for supplies when they were subjected to shellfire. Rescuers noted that the shelling also targeted a busy market area nearby. This incident occurred shortly after the RSF’s prior artillery fire resulted in 80 reported casualties on Tuesday, though confirmation of the exact numbers impacted was unavailable.
The RSF maintains a prolonged siege on El-Fasher, the last major state capital in Darfur that remains under army control, while engaging in continuous fighting against government forces. This conflict has seen the army successfully repel multiple RSF assaults, yet civilians have suffered immensely from the ongoing bombardments.
As it stands, the RSF controls the majority of Darfur, while the army has retained territorial integrity in the eastern and northern regions of Sudan, alongside recent advancements in the capital Khartoum. The humanitarian toll of this ongoing war has been staggering, with estimates revealing that tens of thousands have lost their lives, and more than 12 million individuals have been displaced, marking this as one of the most severe humanitarian crises recorded by the International Rescue Committee.
In North Darfur, approximately 1.7 million people have been forced from their homes, facing extreme food insecurity, with UN estimates indicating that around 320,000 individuals are at risk of famine. Furthermore, the ongoing famine conditions are impacting three displacement camps around El-Fasher – Zamzam, Abu Shouk, and Al-Salam – and projections suggest that five additional regions, including El-Fasher itself, may face dire circumstances by May.
In summary, the RSF’s recent shelling of the Abu Shouk displacement camp has tragically resulted in six fatalities amidst a broader context of ongoing violent conflict in Sudan. The situation remains dire, with escalating humanitarian crises and extreme food insecurity affecting millions. The conflict’s toll highlights the critical nature of the humanitarian efforts in the region as it faces an unprecedented crisis.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
