Tragic events in Darfur, Sudan: Over 40 deaths attributed to RSF in a refugee camp housing displaced individuals
In the heart of North Darfur, Sudan, the city of El Fasher and its surrounding areas have been the epicentre of intense fighting since April 2024, as part of the broader Sudanese civil war that began in April 2023. The conflict primarily involves the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the RSF launching major offensives to gain control over North Darfur.
The RSF has intensified its campaign, laying siege to El Fasher for months. This siege, combined with continuous attacks, has had a devastating impact on civilians, particularly those residing in displacement camps such as Abu Shouk and Zamzam. The violence has resulted in hundreds of deaths, forced thousands to flee, and created famine-like conditions [1][3][4]. The siege has also cut off exit routes, trapping civilians and preventing humanitarian aid delivery, leading to acute hunger and starvation [3].
The root cause of the conflict lies in the power struggle between the SAF and the RSF, stemming from tensions within Sudan’s military and paramilitary forces. The RSF seeks to consolidate control over strategic areas, including North Darfur, shifting the battleground and exacerbating the already dire security and humanitarian situation [1][2]. The war has displaced over 13 million people nationally, making Sudan the world’s largest displacement crisis [5].
The attack on the displaced persons camp near El Fasher, specifically the Abu Shuk camp, was carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) [6]. At least 40 people were reported dead, and another 19 were injured according to the Emergency Room of the Abu Shuk camp [7]. The Abu Shuk camp, located in the northern part of El Fasher, has been a target of numerous RSF attacks [6].
Elsewhere, the territorial situation in Ukraine is expected to be an issue in a possible agreement with Russia, according to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte [8]. Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean, dozens of ships are set to sail from Spain on August 31 to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza [9]. In a tragic turn of events, Israel has been accused of killing prominent journalist Anas Al Sharif in an attack in Gaza [10].
In response to deliberate fires affecting CYL on August 31, Mañueco has warned that they will be merciless in dealing with those responsible [11]. The ongoing conflicts, displacement, and humanitarian crises around the world serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace and cooperation.
[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/1/north-darfur-sudan-conflict-displaces-hundreds-amid-famine-like-conditions [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-civil-war-displaces-millions-threatens-millions-more-2024-08-01/ [3] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/08/sudan-hundreds-killed-thousands-displaced-in-north-darfur-conflict/ [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62121584 [5] https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2024/8/62f4e00d4/sudan-crisis-worlds-largest-displacement-crisis-unhcr-warns.html [6] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/2/at-least-40-killed-in-attack-on-displaced-persons-camp-in-sudan [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/at-least-40-killed-in-attack-on-displaced-persons-camp-in-sudan-2024-08-02/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-territorial-situation-expected-be-issue-possible-agreement-rutte-2024-08-01/ [9] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/29/dozens-of-ships-to-sail-from-spain-to-break-israeli-blockade-of-gaza [10] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/30/israel-accused-of-killing-prominent-journalist-anas-al-sharif-in-gaza [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spain-says-deliberate-fires-affecting-cyl-may-be-linked-to-catalonia-independence-2024-08-31/
General news reports indicate that the conflict in North Darfur, Sudan, has intensified, resulting in a siege of El Fasher, causing significant harm to civilians and humanitarian aid delivery [3]. Politics and crime-and-justice issues are evident in this situation, as the violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) involve power struggles and attacks on displaced persons camps, such as Abu Shouk [6]. This peace-disturbing event serves as a reminder of the need for global cooperation to address war-and-conflicts and humanitarian crises, as seen in Sudan and other parts of the world.
