Tragic Attack on Displacement Shelter in North Darfur: At Least 53 Lives Lost
In a heartbreaking incident, at least 53 individuals, including 14 children and 15 women, have lost their lives due to an attack on a displacement shelter in Al Fashir, a besieged city in North Darfur. According to the Sudan Doctors’ Network, the strike, attributed to Sudanese paramilitary forces, also left 21 others injured, including five additional children. The assault, carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeted the al Arqam Home, a refuge for displaced families in the capital of North Darfur province.
This tragic event, which occurred late on Friday, marks yet another brutal attack on Al Fashir, a city that has been the focal point of ongoing conflict between the Sudanese military and paramilitary groups for several months. A spokesperson from the doctors’ network described the incident as a "massacre," highlighting the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
The statement issued by the network condemned the attack as part of the RSF’s ongoing "scorched-earth policy" against civilians, a blatant violation of international laws and norms. The RSF is aggressively targeting Al Fashir in its bid to establish complete control over the Darfur region, especially following the military’s recapture of key locations, including Khartoum.
Currently, nearly a million individuals are facing famine in Al Fashir and nearby camps, as the RSF has implemented a total blockade, launching attacks on volunteers and aid workers who risk their lives to deliver food and supplies. Within the city, residents endure near-constant bombardment from RSF troops, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
The RSF has fortified its siege by constructing a berm—an elevated earth mound—identified by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab and visible from space. Al Fashir, the last stronghold for the Sudanese military in Darfur, has been under siege for over a year, with the UN and various aid organizations estimating that 260,000 civilians remain trapped in the city, even as many have fled due to the violence.
Sudan has descended into chaos since April 2023, when tensions between the military and the RSF erupted into open conflict in Khartoum and other areas. This ongoing civil war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and has displaced more than 14 million people, with parts of the country now facing severe famine. The conflict has been marred by horrific atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, prompting investigations by the International Criminal Court for potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community must take urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis and seek justice for the victims of this devastating conflict.
