The UN reports significant violence in Sudan's Darfur, where the Rapid Support Forces have launched brutal assaults amid a persistent civil war. With humanitarian conditions worsening, calls for resolution are increasing.
UN Reports Over 400 Deaths Amid Sudan's Escalating Conflict
UN Reports Over 400 Deaths Amid Sudan's Escalating Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Sudan's Darfur region has resulted in over 400 deaths attributed to clashes between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army, causing millions to flee their homes.
More than 400 individuals have reportedly lost their lives due to recent offensives by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's Darfur region, according to the United Nations citing "credible sources." The RSF escalated its ground and aerial assaults around El-Fasher city, which holds the last state capital in Darfur remaining under the control of the rival Sudanese army. This conflict has intensified into a full-scale humanitarian crisis since hostilities erupted in April 2023, displacing millions of residents.
UN officials confirmed 148 killings occurred between Thursday and Saturday, but the real toll is feared to be much higher, as ongoing verification processes continue. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN, remarked that the reported figures did not account for violence that took place on Sunday. Among those killed were at least nine humanitarian aid workers attempting to assist the beleaguered population.
The refugee camps of Zamzam and Abu Shouk, which surround El-Fasher, are now home to over 700,000 displaced individuals, many of whom are facing severe food shortages, akin to famine conditions. In a statement issued on Saturday, the RSF denied accountability for the attacks on civilians and claimed that violent scenes depicted in Zamzam were fabricated to defame their organization. The following day, the RSF proclaimed the successful takeover of the camp from Sudan's military, accusing the army of converting the camp into a military outpost and endangering civilians by using them as shields.
El-Fasher remains the last significant town in Darfur under the control of the Sudanese army and has been besieged by the RSF for the past year. As Sudan's civil war approaches its third anniversary, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged all opposing factions to commit to making substantial efforts toward resolving the ongoing conflict. The situation continues to deteriorate, prompting urgent calls for action against the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region.
