On March 15, 2023, shelling from the Rapid Support Forces at a displacement camp in North Darfur killed six people amidst ongoing conflict in the region. The RSF’s attacks continue amidst a siege of El-Fasher. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and over 12 million displaced, marking a severe humanitarian crisis.
On Wednesday, paramilitary shelling from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted a famine-stricken displacement camp near El-Fasher in North Darfur, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, as reported by local activists. This assault marks the latest violence amidst an ongoing conflict that has persisted since April 2023, during which the RSF has been engaged in fierce confrontations with the regular army.
The RSF’s attack on the Abu Shouk camp commenced on Sunday, coinciding with the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Civilians, who were shopping for supplies for Ramadan, fell victim to the shelling that struck the camp and a nearby market. The day prior, the local resistance committee noted that artillery fire from the RSF had led to 80 casualties, although specific figures regarding the fatalities and injuries were not verifiable.
The RSF continues to impose a siege on El-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur to remain under army control. The fierce fighting has prompted the army and its allies to fend off multiple RSF attacks, but the civilian population endures significant suffering amid continuous bombardment. Currently, the RSF exercises control over much of Darfur while the army claims dominance in eastern and northern regions of Sudan.
This ongoing conflict has been catastrophic, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and displacing over 12 million people, rendering it the worst humanitarian crisis recorded, per the International Rescue Committee. In North Darfur specifically, approximately 1.7 million individuals are displaced. With around two million people experiencing extreme food insecurity and 320,000 already in famine conditions, the severity of the crisis is alarming. United Nations assessments indicate that famine is affecting the displacement camps surrounding El-Fasher and is anticipated to spread to additional regions by May.
The recent shelling of a displacement camp in North Darfur by the Rapid Support Forces has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis. The ongoing conflict between the paramilitary group and the regular army has led to significant civilian casualties and mass displacement. With famine impacting millions, urgent international attention and intervention are essential to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
