Rapid Support Forces Accused of Assaulting Displacement Camp in Sudan

A recent assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sudan's Zamzam displacement camp has left at least 400 civilians dead and forced over 400,000 to flee, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The attack began on April 11, as RSF forces shelled the camp, home to 700,000 internally displaced people, and stormed in chanting racial slurs. Community organizer Mohamed* described the violence as "barbaric" and reported heavy resistance faced while attempting to seek medical assistance for injuries sustained during the attack. He revealed that nine staff members of Relief International were killed in the assault. As survivors fled towards El Fasher, 14 km away, or Tawila, 60 km west, many arrived dehydrated and in dire need of medical care, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres. Conditions in these locations remain dire, with skyrocketing food prices and a lack of resources further compounding the humanitarian crisis. Human rights advocates claim the RSF is using displaced persons as human shields, intensifying fears of targeted ethnic violence. A communications blackout has hindered the comprehensive assessment of the situation, complicating humanitarian responses.

More than 114 civilians have been reported killed following a series of attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on displacement camps in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, according to local health authorities. Ibrahim Khatir, the director general of North Darfur State's health authority, stated that the brutal assault on the Zamzam camp resulted in over 100 fatalities, including nine employees from the NGO Relief International who were working in a field hospital. Emergency Room, a volunteer organization, reported that an additional 14 civilians died during an attack on the Abu Shouk camp, with scores more injured as a result of heavy shelling. The RSF has not commented on these incidents, which occur amidst ongoing fierce fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF since May 2024. Sudan has faced escalating violence since mid-April 2023, with the conflict now resulting in over 29,600 deaths, as documented by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, an initiative cited by the United Nations.

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has displaced over 13 million people, resulting in a profound humanitarian crisis, according to NDTV. The conflict, which escalated after violent clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in 2023, has left millions facing severe food insecurity and lack of access to education. Testimonies from individuals such as Mohammed Zakaria of the Sudan Liberation Army Movement reveal the impact of the turmoil, with families scattered across several countries, including Libya and South Sudan. "Right now, all my family members are refugees in different countries," Zakaria stated. The violence has also resulted in numerous atrocities, including killings and sexual violence, with social media playing a significant role in raising awareness of these issues. More than 29 million people are reportedly in need of assistance, highlighting the dire situation on the ground. Recent military actions have seen the SAF claim some victories against the RSF, yet reports indicate the ongoing volatility and fighting in regions such as North Darfur, complicating efforts for stability and peace.