A Sudanese paramilitary attack using shelling and drones struck a shelter in a besieged city in the Darfur region, resulting in the deaths of at least 53 individuals, as reported by a doctors’ group on Saturday. The assault, carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), occurred in El Fasher, with casualties including 14 children and 15 women among the deceased. The Sudan Doctors Network disclosed that the attack, which took place late Friday, also left 21 individuals injured, with five children and seven women among them, most of whom sustained severe injuries.
The targeted location was the al-Arqam Home, a shelter for displaced families situated at the Omdurman Islamic University in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province. In response to the incident, the medical group condemned the RSF’s actions as a violation of international norms and laws, labeling it as part of a scorched-earth policy against civilians. The RSF has yet to provide a comment on the matter.
Rights group Mashad Organization characterized the attack as one of the most heinous massacres since the RSF commenced its offensive over a year ago, denouncing it as a potential act of genocide witnessed by a passive world. El Fasher has been a focal point of clashes between the Sudanese military and paramilitaries, with the city serving as the military’s final stronghold in Darfur.
The paramilitary forces, known for their frequent bombings of the city, enforced a complete blockade in July, leaving approximately 260,000 civilians stranded in El Fasher after many fled RSF assaults. The residents are facing dire circumstances, including food shortages and disease outbreaks like cholera, according to the United Nations and other aid organizations.
Sudan’s descent into turmoil began with escalating tensions between the military and the RSF erupting into violent confrontations in April 2023, initially in Khartoum and spreading across the country. This conflict has resulted in extensive casualties, displacement of over 14 million people, and regions grappling with famine. The International Criminal Court is investigating the numerous atrocities, such as mass killings and sexual violence, as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.