Disaster Strikes as RSF Raiders Assault Famine-Hit Sudan Camp

A paramilitary force in Sudan has reportedly raided Zamzam camp, the nation's largest displacement camp, which is currently grappling with extreme famine conditions, as confirmed by local refugee representatives. An alarming number of about 500,000 individuals reside at the camp located near el-Fasher, which has been subjected to ongoing artillery attacks since late last year. Yet, this recent assault marks the first instance of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) allegedly deploying fighters into the camp.An eyewitness described the tragic state of the camp, labeling it as "extremely catastrophic," with numerous casualties resulting from the attack. As civil war continues to escalate across Sudan, el-Fasher city, a central conflict zone, remains besieged by the RSF, which is engaged in fierce combat against the national army. The RSF and the military were once collaborators, orchestrating a coup to seize power but have since fractured due to disagreements over transitioning to civilian governance, a plan backed by international forces. The Sudanese IDPs and Refugees Bloc reported the invasion took place on Tuesday. However, an RSF spokesperson denied any incursion into the camp itself, claiming their forces had taken control of a military base belonging to another armed group allied with the Sudanese army, which had allegedly targeted RSF checkpoints for an extended period.Videos circulating on social media depict armed men exultantly claiming control of the camp, with flames visible behind them. Though insignia were absent from their uniforms, the individual sharing the footage exhibited RSF markings. In response to the accusations of destruction within the camp, the RSF spokesperson asserted a commitment to the safety of residents and urged them to avoid areas affected by gunfire.The grim reality in Zamzam worsened after the attack forced thousands of displaced individuals to flee once again. A report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which operates a hospital in the camp, revealed the arrival of seven deceased bodies and 21 wounded people, mostly in critical condition. Unfortunately, the hospital's capabilities were insufficient to provide the necessary care for all patients.Local health officials, including Ibrahim Abdullah Khater, the North Darfur Health Minister, conveyed the unfortunate situation where the injured were unable to access treatment in el-Fasher due to RSF roadblocks. "The ones suffering the most are the displaced people," he lamented.The humanitarian disaster at Zamzam intensified at the end of last year due to heavy bombardment, an act attributed to the RSF by various aid groups, including MSF. In a joint statement, international NGOs highlighted the alarming rise in violence at Zamzam, which had previously remained free from such hostilities, showcasing a grim pattern against other displacement camps.As the siege surrounding el-Fasher persists, the city remains under the army's control as the RSF faces allegations of ethnic cleansing against non-Arab communities. The situation in North Darfur paints a harrowing picture of insecurity, illustrating that safe havens for afflicted individuals are becoming increasingly elusive.