On Wednesday, the Rapid Support Forces shelled a displacement camp in North Darfur, killing six people, amidst ongoing conflict with the regular army. The assault targeted civilians during Ramadan, adding to existing humanitarian concerns in a region already marred by famine and mass displacement. UN estimates indicate millions facing food insecurity, with the crisis worsening as it spreads to more areas.
On Wednesday, a shelling incident carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at a displacement camp in North Darfur resulted in the deaths of six individuals. This tragic event occurred near the besieged capital of El-Fasher, as reported by local activists. The RSF has been engaged in a violent conflict with the regular army since April 2023, notably targeting the Abu Shouk camp, according to reports from a local resistance committee that coordinates aid efforts across Sudan.
The continued assault on the camp began on Sunday, coinciding with the second day of Ramadan. Civilians, who were present to procure food supplies for the holy month, were caught in the shelling while at a nearby market, leading to the fatalities. This attack follows a previous barrage on Tuesday that resulted in 80 reported casualties, although the numbers of the deceased and injured remain unverified.
Currently, the RSF is conducting a prolonged siege on El-Fasher, which is the last state capital in the Darfur region under army control. Ongoing skirmishes between the army and allied forces have attempted to fend off repeated attacks, yet civilians continue to suffer extensively due to the unrelenting shelling.
The RSF predominantly controls most of Darfur while the regular army retains influence in the country’s eastern and northern regions. The conflict, which has caused the deaths of tens of thousands, has displaced over 12 million individuals, rendering it the largest humanitarian crisis ever recorded according to the International Rescue Committee. Within North Darfur, approximately 1.7 million people are currently displaced.
Moreover, around two million individuals are confronting extreme food insecurity, with 320,000 already facing conditions of famine, as per United Nations estimates. Famine has severely affected three displacement camps surrounding El-Fasher—Zamzam, Abu Shouk, and Al-Salam—and is projected to extend to five additional areas, including El-Fasher itself, by the coming May.
The recent shelling of a displacement camp in North Darfur by the Rapid Support Forces highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis and violence in the region. The conflict has led to a staggering number of casualties and extensive displacement. With famine conditions worsening among millions, the international community is urged to respond to what has been termed the largest humanitarian crisis in record, as the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
