Sudan’s army allies claim to have intercepted a military convoy meant for the RSF, who denied the allegation. The conflict has escalated since April 2023, leading to significant displacement and a humanitarian crisis. Over 600,000 people face starvation, with UN officials warning of imminent catastrophe without intervention.
Forces allied with Sudan’s army announced on Friday the interception of a significant military supply convoy intended for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Darfur. However, the RSF rejected these claims, asserting that no convoy was attacked, labeling the Joint Forces’ statement as “incorrect” and “mere lies.” Independent verification of the incident remains unattainable.
The Joint Forces, comprised of former rebel factions cooperating with the Sudanese army, accused the RSF of facilitating resupply operations that purportedly supported indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas in Al-Fasher and Omdurman, as well as camps for displaced individuals. They reported that the seized convoy contained ten thousand rounds of 40mm artillery shells and twelve thousand rounds of howitzer shells.
In addition to intercepting military supplies, the Joint Forces claimed to have “neutralized” foreign mercenaries, referring to previous encounters with Colombian mercenaries that had drawn diplomatic apologies from Colombia. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF initiated in April 2023 amid efforts to transition to civilian governance, triggering widespread displacement and a looming hunger crisis.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk issued a stern warning regarding the impending escalation of violence in Sudan, highlighting the increasing threat of widespread starvation. He characterized the situation as “the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe” and warned that failure to act would result in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Turk detailed that over 600,000 individuals were on the verge of starvation, with famine already established in five regions, including the Zamzam camp. Moreover, he indicated that an estimated 8.8 million individuals had been displaced within Sudan, alongside 3.5 million fleeing overseas, emphasizing that this is the most significant displacement crisis globally.
Turk also documented acts that may qualify as war crimes, reflecting the unendurable suffering experienced by the Sudanese populace since the onset of the conflict. In response, Sudanese Justice Minister Muawiya Osman attributed the war’s initiation to the RSF, claiming they have perpetrated actions aimed at ethnic cleansing in specific regions and obstructed humanitarian efforts.
The conflict in Sudan between the army and the RSF has led to grave humanitarian crises, characterized by widespread displacement and starvation. The interception of military supplies by Joint Forces illustrates ongoing tensions, while accusations of war crimes underline the seriousness of the situation. The UN has sounded the alarm regarding the potential for further escalation and the dire need for humanitarian intervention.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
