In brief
The UN has reported that more than 400 people have been killed in the latest attacks by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan's Darfur region. This violence comes amid an ongoing power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese army, severely impacting civilians and displacing thousands.
More than 400 individuals have lost their lives due to recent attacks carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's Darfur region, as reported by the UN based on "credible sources." The RSF initiated a significant ground and aerial offensive on refugee camps around El-Fasher, aiming to control the last state capital in Darfur that remains under the rival Sudanese army's control. The ongoing conflict between these two factions has persisted since April 2023, giving rise to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and displacing millions from their homes.The UN confirmed that it had verified 148 fatalities between Thursday and Saturday, although it cautioned that the actual death toll is likely far higher, with reports indicating more than 400 casualties. UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani emphasized that their verification efforts are still in progress and do not reflect the violence that occurred on Sunday. Among those killed were at least nine humanitarian aid workers, as noted by the UN.The refugee camps around El-Fasher, namely Zamzam and Abu Shouk, shelter over 700,000 individuals, many of whom are experiencing dire, famine-like conditions. In a statement released on Saturday, the RSF denied responsibility for any attacks on civilians, claiming that reports of violence in Zamzam were fabricated to undermine their forces. They followed up with an announcement of a "successful liberation" of the camp from the Sudanese army, accusing it of using Zamzam as a military base and civilians as human shields.El-Fasher, being the last significant town in Darfur under army control, has been under siege by the RSF for the past year. With the civil war in Sudan poised to enter its third year on Tuesday, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged all involved parties to recommit to efforts that would lead to conflict resolution.
