In brief
The UN has confirmed that more than 400 people have died in recent assaults by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Darfur, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and forcing countless families to flee their homes.
In a shocking development, the UN has reported that over 400 individuals have lost their lives following recent violent assaults by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Darfur region of Sudan. This alarming figure, based on “credible sources," follows an intense offensive by the RSF, which launched a ground and aerial assault on refugee camps around El-Fasher in efforts to dominate the last state capital in Darfur still controlled by the Sudanese army.Since April 2023, the two factions have been embroiled in a brutal power struggle that has spiraled into one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. Millions have fled their residences as violence has plagued the region. While the UN has officially verified 148 killings between Thursday and Saturday, it notes that the true death toll is likely much higher, especially in light of violent outbreaks on subsequent days. UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani emphasized the ongoing verification processes, clarifying that their reported figures do not account for Sunday’s violence.Amid these chaotic developments, the RSF has claimed no responsibility for the civilian assaults, suggesting that atrocities in Zamzam were fabricated to taint their image. They further asserted that they have "liberated" the camp from the Sudanese army, which they accused of using the vulnerable population as human shields.The refugee camps surrounding El-Fasher, including Zamzam and Abu Shouk, are currently sheltering over 700,000 people, many of whom are suffering dire conditions akin to famine. With El-Fasher remaining the last significant town in Darfur under military control, it has been under siege by the RSF for an entire year. As the civil strife approaches its two-year mark, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged all involved parties to commit to tangible steps towards resolving the ongoing conflict.
