In a devastating drone strike on a mosque in Sudan's Darfur region, over 70 individuals were killed during morning prayers, as reported by a senior medical source to the BBC. The attack, which occurred in el-Fasher, is attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF); however, the RSF has not formally accepted responsibility for the assault.
The RSF, embroiled in an intense civil war with the Sudanese military, has been attempting to seize control of el-Fasher, which is the last bastion of the army in Darfur and houses approximately 300,000 civilians who have already suffered immensely due to ongoing conflicts.
A witness recounted that the drone attack occurred while congregants were gathered for prayers, killing many instantly. Medical reports confirmed the death toll at 78, with around 20 others injured, although efforts to recover bodies from the rubble are still in progress.
Visual evidence verified by the BBC shows approximately 30 bodies wrapped in blankets adjacent to the devastated mosque, emphasizing the tragedy of the situation. Amidst the RSF's renewed offensive in the region, satellite imagery indicates the group has gained control over substantial territory, heightening concerns about civilian safety and possible ethnic targeting.
UN warnings signal a dangerous escalation in ethnic violence, with accusations emerging against the RSF of engaging in systematic cleansing against non-Arab communities in areas they dominate. Reports reveal that RSF members have expressed intentions to 'cleanse El Fasher' of unwanted ethnic groups.
The international community is under pressure to respond, as Sudan analysts and human rights activists predict further humanitarian disasters if military reinforcements do not arrive to support the beleaguered army in El Fasher.
The alarming scale of violence has necessitated urgent dialogues among global and local leaders to address and mitigate the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan.
