EL FASHER, Sudan – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a renewed attack on the Zamzam camp for displaced persons in North Darfur state, escalating violence in the region. The governor of Darfur, Minni Arko Minawi, urged those capable of bearing arms to defend the vulnerable displaced population. Amidst the ongoing conflict, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) made a desperate plea for safe passage for civilians trapped in the crossfire.
Reports from eyewitnesses in El Fasher described a violent attack on the Zamzam camp, where the RSF committed atrocities against civilians, including burning down the main market and looting property. The attacking force faced resistance from the army, the Joint Force, and the Popular Resistance, preventing further casualties.
Governor Minawi, overseeing the joint force, posted on social media calling on individuals to take up arms to protect the displaced people from the RSF militia’s brutality and safeguard their land and dignity. The RSF and Arab tribal militias persisted with their assault on the Zamzam camp for a second consecutive day, resulting in a rising death toll and mass displacement.
The Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur accused the RSF of perpetrating a massacre in a treacherous attack on the Zamzam camp, converting its streets into scenes of horror and devastation. The spokesman for the Coordination condemned the attack as a war crime and a violation of international laws, urging immediate intervention to halt the violence and protect the displaced.
International humanitarian and human rights organizations were urged to shine a light on the atrocities unfolding in Darfur and deliver much-needed aid to the affected population. Amidst fears of ethnic cleansing and genocide, displaced individuals at the Zamzam camp looked to the international community for protection and justice. The ongoing conflict threatens the lives and safety of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable civilians, caught in the crossfire between warring factions.
Médecins Sans Frontières echoed concerns about the escalating violence, calling on all parties involved to spare civilians and ensure the safety of medical staff and facilities. The medical group reported a surge in patients at its hospital in Zamzam, underscoring the urgent need for access to trauma surgery and medical treatment for the wounded. The intensifying clashes have impeded the delivery of critical medical assistance, leaving many vulnerable individuals without essential care.