KEY POINTS
- RSF attacks Gezira villages following the defection of a key officer.
- At least 25 people killed, with reports of looting and displacement.
- Sudan’s humanitarian crisis worsens as conflict continues.
At least 25 people were killed when Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked villages in the eastern part of El Gezira state. High-ranking RSF officer Abuagla Keikal, who had previously protected the area from RSF assaults, defected, and the bloody raids ensued.
Activists claim that the RSF, which was now unchecked in the region, replied with ruthless brutality, resulting in widespread theft, civilian fatalities, and relocation.
According to local activists, the RSF soldiers’ looting of nearby marketplaces and medical facilities made the situation of the locals worse.
Over 25 people were verified dead in Rufaa and seven other towns and villages, according to the pro-democracy Rufaa Resistance Committee. The majority of the population was compelled to leave their houses due to numerous reports of rape and looting.
The RSF’s actions come amid growing concerns over Sudan’s ongoing conflict between the paramilitary forces and the Sudanese army, which has plunged the nation into chaos since early 2023.
Army struggles to regain territory
The Sudanese army, still fighting to regain control from the RSF, has been met with fierce resistance in regions such as Tamboul.
The RSF claimed on Tuesday to have killed the army commander and 370 soldiers in Tamboul, a claim that has not been officially confirmed by the army.
Reports indicate the army withdrew from the area, leaving local residents vulnerable to further RSF advances.
According to Reuters, the conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF, which began more than 18 months ago, has created a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and widespread food insecurity.
More than 11 million people are displaced, and half the population now faces acute hunger due to the ongoing war, according to humanitarian organizations
Escalating humanitarian crisis
As the war drags on, Sudan faces one of the world’s largest humanitarian disasters. With mass displacement, increasing hunger, and continued violence, the situation has reached a critical point.
The RSF’s latest attack on Gezira villages marks another grim chapter in the country’s ongoing turmoil.
International aid groups have struggled to provide assistance due to widespread violence and instability, leaving many civilians without basic necessities.
Human rights organizations have condemned the atrocities committed by both sides, calling for immediate intervention to protect civilians and address the deepening crisis.
