At least 40 people lost their lives in a brutal attack on a camp for displaced individuals in Sudan‘s western Darfur. An aid group that has been providing help in the region reported this tragedy.
The Abu Shouk Emergency Response Room stated that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible for the attack on Monday. Local citizens and activists from nearby el-Fasher also confirmed the assault.
El-Fasher is under heavy attack, too. It’s one of the last strongholds for the army and its allies in Darfur, who have been in conflict with the RSF during a two-year civil war. This war has led to a terrible humanitarian crisis, with the UN warning that families in the besieged city are facing starvation.
Reports say the camp got caught in the middle of the battle in el-Fasher. Within Abu Shouk, where 200,000 people live, some victims were shot at home while others were attacked in public areas.
Violence and Suffering in Darfur
A US-based organization that analyzes satellite images found 40 vehicles grouped in the north-west part of the camp. This supports claims that the assault originated from that direction. The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab is looking into images and videos that allegedly show RSF soldiers attacking and using racial slurs against civilians trying to escape.
Abu Shouk camp was established over 20 years ago by non-Arab people like the Fur and Zaghawa who were escaping attacks by the Janjaweed militia. The RSF originated from this feared militia, long accused of genocide.
The RSF has faced accusations of ethnic cleansing during this war, leading to US sanctions for genocide. The group denies these accusations, claiming they are not part of tribal clashes.
Zaghawa fighters are backing the military defense of el-Fasher, suggesting the RSF might have been targeting Zaghawa civilians on purpose. Displaced people camps near el-Fasher often face attacks. In April, the RSF took over Zamzam camp, killing more than 100 and forcing many to flee.
Since the fighting began in April 2023, tens of thousands have died, 12 million have been displaced, and famine has struck parts of the country.
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