Over 780 civilians have been killed in a paramilitary siege in North Darfur, with intense fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF. Recent UN reports highlight the devastating impact on civilian life, including deadly attacks on hospitals and displacement camps. The international community is called upon to intervene and halt the violence.
A recent United Nations report has revealed that at least 782 civilians have lost their lives and over 1,100 have sustained injuries amid a protracted paramilitary siege in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, Sudan. The conflict, ongoing since April of the previous year, pits the national army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The situation in El-Fasher, which is home to around two million residents, has escalated into one of the most intense battlefronts of this conflict as the army attempts to cling to its remaining stronghold in the Darfur region.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk highlighted the severe impact of this siege, emphasizing that the relentless fighting is causing massive devastation to the civilian population on a daily basis. The UN Human Rights Office report, informed by testimonies from individuals who fled El-Fasher, details ongoing shelling by the RSF in densely populated areas and assaults by the army, including air strikes and artillery bombardments.
The situation in El-Fasher has become increasingly perilous, especially in the past week. The World Health Organization reported that a recent shelling of the city’s main hospital resulted in the death of nine individuals and injuries to twenty others. Moreover, ongoing RSF assaults have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with a paramilitary drone strike in the city center claiming the lives of at least thirty-eight people. Activists have indicated that the RSF has also targeted the Zamzam displacement camp, which is already struggling under famine conditions, resulting in additional casualties.
Mr. Turk has issued grave warnings regarding the humanitarian implications of potential large-scale offensives against both Zamzam and El-Fasher. He insisted that urgent measures must be implemented to avert catastrophic levels of civilian suffering. The international community is called to assist in halting the siege and protecting civilians caught in the conflict. As it stands, the RSF maintains control over most of Darfur while the army secures parts of northern and eastern Sudan. The ongoing chaos has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, the displacement of over eleven million people, and increased risks of starvation for approximately twenty-six million individuals.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, has persisted since April of last year and has led to extreme human suffering. The power struggle between the national army and the RSF has resulted in extensive violence, with civilian populations caught in the crossfire. The humanitarian situation is dire, characterized by a significant number of casualties, injuries, and widespread displacement. International organizations like the United Nations have been closely monitoring the situation, gathering evidence to advocate for increased international intervention and humanitarian support.
In summary, the protracted violence in North Darfur has resulted in substantial civilian casualties and injuries, with reports of over 782 deaths and more than 1,100 injuries due to the paramilitary siege. The international community is urged to take action to alleviate the suffering and protect vulnerable populations. Without prompt intervention, the humanitarian crisis in Sudans is poised to escalate, threatening millions of lives in the region.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
