On Wednesday, near El-Fasher, shelling by the RSF killed six people at the Abu Shouk displacement camp. This incident follows a series of attacks resulting in numerous casualties and illustrates the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, exacerbated by famine affecting nearly two million people.
On Wednesday, a shelling incident attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Darfur’s Abu Shouk displacement camp resulted in the deaths of six individuals, according to local activists. This camp is situated near El-Fasher, which has been under siege and suffering from famine conditions. Reports indicate that the RSF has intensified its assaults since April 2023, amid ongoing conflict with the regular army.
The local resistance committee, a group aiding in relief efforts, reported that the shelling occurred as civilians were purchasing Ramadan supplies, coinciding with the early days of the holy month. This attack follows another incident where 80 casualties were reported a day prior, indicative of the rising violence in the region.
The RSF’s ongoing offensive targets the Abu Shouk camp while maintaining a prolonged siege around El-Fasher, which is the last operational state capital in Darfur under army control. The conflict has resulted in heavy civilian casualties and increased desperation among the population, with many continuing to suffer from relentless artillery fire.
Currently, the RSF has gained control of nearly all of Darfur, while the army retains authority in the eastern and northern regions of the country. The tumultuous conflict has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of individuals and displaced over 12 million, marking this situation as a significant humanitarian crisis, as highlighted by the International Rescue Committee.
Within North Darfur, approximately 1.7 million individuals are displaced, facing dire humanitarian conditions. UN estimates indicate that around two million individuals are experiencing severe food insecurity, with 320,000 already in famine conditions. Furthermore, three displacement camps around El-Fasher are significantly affected by famine, and experts warn that this situation may worsen, potentially impacting five additional regions by May.
The recent shelling by the Rapid Support Forces in North Darfur has resulted in significant civilian casualties amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation. With ongoing conflict and a severe food crisis affecting millions, the situation is critical and requires urgent attention from the international community to alleviate human suffering. The escalation of violence calls for immediate humanitarian assistance and intervention to protect vulnerable populations in the region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
