Thousands have been forced to leave their homes and are now seeking help at refugee camps such as ZamZam. REUTERS
The UN reports that over 400 people have died in recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s Darfur region. The death toll follows an intense ground and aerial assault on refugee camps near the city of El-Fasher. These attacks are part of the ongoing power struggle between the RSF and Sudan's army, which has been raging since April 2023.
The violence has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, forcing millions of people to flee their homes. The UN confirmed 148 killings between Thursday and Saturday, but officials warn that the true number is much higher. "Credible sources have reported more than 400 killed," said UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. She added that the UN's verification process is still ongoing, and the reported figures do not include the violence that occurred on Sunday.
The violence was particularly concentrated around the refugee camps of Zamzam and Abu Shouk, which are located near El-Fasher. These camps provide shelter for over 700,000 displaced people, many of whom are facing severe food shortages. At least nine humanitarian aid workers were among the victims, highlighting the dangers aid workers face in conflict zones.
The RSF, a paramilitary group, has been trying to capture El-Fasher, the last major town in Darfur controlled by the Sudanese army. The RSF has claimed responsibility for the successful "liberation" of the Zamzam camp, which it says was used as a military base by the army. They have also denied any responsibility for civilian deaths, accusing opponents of staging the killings to discredit them. According to the RSF, the Sudanese army used the camp as a military barracks and forced civilians to act as human shields.
The violence in Darfur is part of a larger civil war that has been ongoing for nearly two years. The conflict has caused untold suffering for the Sudanese people and sparked a global humanitarian emergency. The UN continues to call for all parties involved to take serious steps toward resolving the conflict.
In response to the escalating situation, senior international officials will meet in London on Tuesday to discuss the war's impact and the need for a peaceful resolution. The meeting will take place on the second anniversary of the conflict’s start. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the UK would contribute £120 million in food and aid to Sudan. Lammy also emphasized the importance of Sudan's stability for international security.
The UK, alongside the African Union and European Union, will co-host the discussions. The hope is that this international collaboration will lead to concrete actions to help end the conflict and alleviate the suffering of Sudanese civilians.
