A Sudanese paramilitary attack using shelling and drones struck a shelter in the Darfur region, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 53 individuals, as reported by a doctors’ group on Saturday. The assault, carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeted the city of El Fasher, claiming the lives of 14 children and 15 women among the victims. Additionally, 21 people were injured, including five children and seven women, with many sustaining severe injuries.
The targeted shelter, known as al-Arqam Home and situated at the Omdurman Islamic University in El Fasher, was a place of refuge for displaced families. The Sudan Doctors Network, monitoring the conflict, condemned the attack as part of the RSF’s ongoing brutal actions against civilians, violating international laws and norms.
The Mashad Organization, a human rights group, labeled the incident as one of the most horrific massacres since the RSF’s offensive began over a year ago, denouncing it as a potential act of genocide amidst a silent global response. El Fasher has been a focal point of clashes between the Sudanese military and paramilitary forces, with the city facing a blockade since July, trapping around 260,000 civilians. The population, enduring RSF attacks, is also grappling with food shortages and disease outbreaks like cholera, according to UN reports.
The conflict in Sudan erupted from tensions between the military and RSF in April 2023, extending to a full-scale war that has claimed numerous lives, displaced over 14 million individuals, and triggered famine in parts of the country. The International Criminal Court is investigating reported atrocities such as mass killings and sexual violence as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.