The recent shelling at a displaced persons' camp in Sudan has resulted in numerous casualties, heightening concerns about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian situation in the region, where the Rapid Support Forces have intensified attacks.
Heavy Shelling in Sudan's Abu Shouk Camp Leaves Many Feared Dead
Heavy Shelling in Sudan's Abu Shouk Camp Leaves Many Feared Dead
A second attack in three days on a crowded market in North Darfur's Abu Shouk camp raises alarm amidst a humanitarian crisis.
In a tragic escalation of violence in Sudan, heavy shelling has struck the crowded market of Abu Shouk, a camp for displaced people located near el-Fasher in North Darfur. Local officials report that the two-hour assault on Tuesday evening has left many feared dead, with the casualty figures still unknown amid ongoing chaos. This marks the second attack on the camp within three days, raising alarms about the security situation for the more than half a million residents sheltering there.
The attack coincided with Ramadan, a significant period during which many camp residents were at the market preparing to break their fast. Reports from Dr. Ibrahim Nadyan, a medic at el-Fasher's remaining operating hospital, indicate that the shelling resulted in a range of injuries, from mild to severe.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are reported to have executed the assault, have not issued any statements regarding the recent or previous attacks. Just days prior, on Sunday, another shelling incident from the RSF led to the deaths of at least six civilians, according to local health volunteers.
Since the conflict commenced in April 2023, tens of thousands of deaths have been attributed to the violence, with millions displaced from their homes and many facing severe food shortages. While the army currently controls the northern and eastern regions of Sudan, the RSF has consolidated power across much of Darfur and parts of the southern regions. The ongoing hostilities have further entrenched divisions within the country, with both factions accused of various human rights violations, including genocidal acts against non-Arab populations.
As of late, there have been reports of the army regaining portions of Khartoum and its surroundings, signaling a potential shift in control amidst this tumultuous backdrop. With the humanitarian crisis worsening, the international community is urged to closely monitor the situation, as calls for assistance are amplified by the stark realities of war in Sudan.
