At least 124 people have died following an attack on a village in Sudan by the rapid support forces, according to activists. AP Photo
At least 124 individuals have lost their lives following a brutal attack by the Sudanese paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the village of Al-Sareeha, located south of the capital, Khartoum. Activists and medical personnel reported this tragic incident, which, if confirmed, stands as one of the deadliest episodes in the ongoing civil war that continues to ravage Sudan.
Since April of last year, the RSF has been engaged in fierce clashes with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) as both factions vie for control over the country. Tragically, both groups have been accused of perpetrating violence against civilians caught in the crossfire of their conflict.
This attack follows the defection of the RSF commander in Al-Jazirah, the very region where the violence occurred. Activists suggest that the defection has led to an increase in RSF assaults, raising concerns about the safety of local communities.
A representative from the Resistance Committees, a grassroots organization formed by local residents, shared with news sources that the assault on Al-Sareeha left more than 200 civilians injured. Additionally, around 150 individuals were reportedly detained by the RSF during this violent encounter. The activist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for safety reasons, emphasized that the actual number of victims could be much higher, as communication breakdowns hinder accurate documentation of the events.
“The RSF militia has confiscated all Starlink devices, which were the only means of communication available to civilians,” the activist noted. This further complicates the situation, as many residents in the eastern Al-Jazirah region have abandoned their homes, fleeing from retaliatory attacks by militia forces.
The Sudan Doctors Network has corroborated reports of mass killings in Al-Sareeha, stating that the RSF conducted a massacre against civilians on Friday. This resulted not only in the reported 124 deaths but also in numerous injuries and the displacement of hundreds of people in the area.
Due to the security situation, independent verification of these reports has proven difficult. Media teams have not been allowed access to the affected area, raising concerns about the accuracy of the figures and the broader implications of the violence.
Attempts to reach the RSF for comment have been met with silence, highlighting the lack of accountability in the ongoing conflict. The United Nations has classified the ongoing fighting between the SAF and the RSF as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced from their homes.
Last year, reports emerged detailing a campaign led by the RSF that involved enslaving men and women, alongside other heinous acts in Sudan’s western Darfur region. This area has already been marred by violence and has been referred to as experiencing the first genocide of the 21st century.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the plight of civilians in Sudan remains dire. The recent attack on Al-Sareeha serves as a grim reminder of the escalating violence and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in a country gripped by conflict.
