The Sudan Shield Forces, allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces, are accused of war crimes following a January attack that resulted in the death of at least 26 civilians. Human Rights Watch reports systematic looting and racially charged abuse during the attack. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has worsened since the conflict began in April 2023, with millions displaced and facing acute food insecurity.
A Sudanese militia allied with the Armed Forces has been implicated in war crimes following an attack that claimed the lives of at least 26 civilians, including a child, in January. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Sudan Shield Forces deliberately targeted the village on January 10, 2023, and engaged in systematic looting and destruction of civilian property.
The militia’s attack on the village in al-Jazira state specifically aimed at individuals perceived to support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Witnesses reported instances of abuse, with militia members hurling racially charged insults and looting significant amounts of livestock and supplies. Jean-Baptiste Gallopin of HRW emphasized the urgent necessity for governmental investigation into these violations and accountability for those in leadership positions within the Sudan Shield Forces.
Since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, Sudan has witnessed immense humanitarian crises, with over 10 million people displaced and widespread food insecurity affecting more than 12 million. Both the RSF and the Armed Forces have faced allegations of war crimes, with thousands losing their lives in the strife.
Recently, the RSF launched a ferocious three-day offensive in White Nile state, reportedly resulting in 433 deaths, further exacerbating the crisis. The Sudanese foreign ministry condemned the actions as a continuation of a larger assault on the populace, recalling previous atrocities committed in Geneina and Ardamita.
The Emergency Lawyers group further detailed the RSF’s brutality, including unprovoked attacks on civilians, field executions, and extensive looting, with death tolls reportedly reaching 200. This ongoing violence underscores the dire situation as various factions of armed groups continue their destructive campaigns against vulnerable communities across Sudan.
The Sudan Shield Forces and other allied militias are accused of heinous war crimes against civilians, highlighting a pattern of violence and abuse amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Human Rights Watch calls for accountability, while the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with millions displaced and facing severe needs. This call for action comes against a backdrop of increasing atrocities reported by various human rights groups, stressing the urgent necessity for intervention. Overall, the situation remains critical, with the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces implicated in misconduct against innocent populations, thus prompting wider discussions about stability and peace in the region.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
