The UN has confirmed that more than 400 individuals have lost their lives in recent violent confrontations in Sudan's Darfur region due to ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis.
UN Reports Over 400 Deaths as Violence Escalates in Sudan's Darfur
UN Reports Over 400 Deaths as Violence Escalates in Sudan's Darfur
A brutal escalation of violence in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, has left over 400 dead following intensified clashes between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army.
More than 400 lives have been claimed in Sudan's Darfur region in the wake of violent clashes instigated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as reported by the United Nations citing credible sources. This violent surge, marked by aerial and ground assaults last week on refugee camps around El-Fasher, has been aimed at capturing the last state capital in Darfur which remains under the control of the Sudanese army.
Since the onset of this violent power struggle in April 2023, millions of individuals have been forced to flee their homes, leading to what the UN describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The UN's verification process recorded at least 148 deaths between Thursday and Saturday, though officials caution that the actual figure is likely higher due to the ongoing violence and the situation on Sunday not yet accounted for.
UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani stated, “Credible sources have reported more than 400 killed.” Among the casualties, at least nine humanitarian aid workers have been identified. Temporary refugee camps surrounding El-Fasher, such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk, have become makeshift homes to over 700,000 displaced individuals who are currently facing dire, famine-like conditions.
In a statement released on Saturday, the RSF denied any responsibility for civilian casualties, claiming that scenes of violence in Zamzam were fabricated to undermine their forces. The following day, the RSF declared the "successful liberation" of the camp from the Sudanese army, accusing the latter of using Zamzam as a military base and the residents as human shields.
El-Fasher remains the last significant urban area in Darfur controlled by the Sudanese army, which has been under siege by the RSF for almost a year. As Sudan faces the prospect of a new year engulfed in conflict, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged all factions involved in the conflict to work sincerely on finding resolution to this crisis.
