Deadly clashes in Sudan’s Darfur region leave scores dead, many wounded

Deadly clashes in Sudan’s Darfur region leave scores dead, many wounded

Khartoum, Sudan – More than two weeks of fierce fighting between Sudan’s military and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over control of the major city of el-Fasher in western Darfur have resulted in at least 123 fatalities and over 930 injuries, an international aid group reported on Sunday.

Doctors Without Borders described the violence in el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, as indicative of the brutal intensity of the conflict and called on the warring factions to take greater measures to protect civilians.

The clashes, which escalated earlier this month, have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. El-Fasher has emerged as a focal point of the confrontation between the military and the RSF, supported by Arab militias commonly referred to as janjaweed, and stands as the last stronghold under military control in the vast Darfur region.

Sudan’s conflict erupted in April last year following escalating tensions between military leaders and the RSF, leading to widespread violence and displacement across the country. The unrest has claimed over 14,000 lives, with thousands more wounded, amidst reports of rampant sexual violence and other atrocities.

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The dire situation has pushed Sudan’s population to the brink of famine, with the UN food agency warning of the imminent risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and other regions if humanitarian aid is not permitted to reach those in need.

The RSF has bolstered its forces in recent months, intensifying efforts to seize control of el-Fasher. Alongside its militia allies, the RSF has encircled the city and launched significant offensives on its southern and eastern fronts.

Renewed clashes erupted on Thursday in the Abu Shouk camp for displaced persons in the Salam neighbourhood, as well as in the city’s southwestern areas, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration.

The violence escalated further on Saturday when a shell struck the residence of an aid worker from Doctors Without Borders near the main market, resulting in the aid worker’s death.

Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, condemned the “tragic” killing and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

With hundreds of thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire, Nkweta-Salami emphasized the urgent need for peace and urged all parties involved to prioritise the protection of civilians and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas.

Deadly clashes in Sudan’s Darfur region leave scores dead, many wounded