Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out a devastating attack on Zamzam Camp for displaced civilians near al-Fasher, leaving hundreds dead or injured, the foreign ministry and aid groups stated on Saturday. The incident is being described as one of the serious violations since the conflict started, according to Reuters.
The first phase of several assaults started on Thursday, as per the statement from advocacy group the General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees, with the attacks ongoing through Friday and Saturday, demolishing homes, markets, and medical facilities, as per Reuters report.
According to the the organisation, that left “hundreds dead and wounded, the majority of whom were also women and children”, the organisation stated. It criticized the assualt as “a war crime and crime against humanity”.
As per Reuters, Parallel attacks on Abu Shouk Camp prior in the week eliminated 35 civilians, it further added. “The humanitarian situation in al-Fasher is collapsing,” its releases read, indicating to famine, a scarcity of medicine, and absolute insecurity.
Nkweta-Salami, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine stated in a release on Saturday that approx 100 civilians were died in Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps, which host more than 700,000 displaced civilians, most of whom are now stucked without protect refuge, reported by Reuters.
Relief International, the final organisation delivering essential services at Zamzam Camp, reported that its clinic was seized and nine staff members, including doctors and drivers, were killed in the attack.
“This was a targeted attack on the most vulnerable – elderly people, women, and children,” it stated in a release “Our clinic, the last remaining access to healthcare in Zamzam, was also part of this attack.”
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rejected accusations of crimes in Zamzam Camp as fabricated, claiming a currently spreaded video depicting people struggling was planned by the Sudanese army.
In a statement issued on Saturday, it alleged its oppnents of coordinating a media campaign involving actors and planned scenes inside the camp to falsely blaming them.
According to Reuters report, It rejected responsibility for any assaults on residents, reaffirmed its adherencet to international humanitarian law, and condemned what it called as a propaganda campaign intended to damage its image and diverted from the actual crimes committed against the Sudanese resident.
Local leaders and Humanitarian agencies are urging for an instant ceasefire and entry for support workers.
The conflict in Sudan broke out in April 2023, triggered by a power fight between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), destroying hopes for a transition to people rule.
The war has since displaced millions and destroyed areas like Darfur, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is now struggling to sustain its stronghold during military advances in Khartoum.