In a tragic development, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan launched a devastating attack on Zamzam Camp for displaced people near al-Fasher, resulting in a high number of casualties, including deaths and injuries, as reported by the foreign ministry and aid organizations on Saturday. The assault, described as one of the most severe violations since the war began, commenced on Thursday and persisted through Friday and Saturday, causing destruction to homes, markets, and healthcare facilities in the area. The General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees stated that the majority of those affected were women and children, condemning the attack as both a war crime and a crime against humanity. This tragic event follows similar assaults on Abu Shouk Camp earlier in the week, where 35 civilians lost their lives, contributing to the humanitarian crisis in al-Fasher marked by famine, lack of medical supplies, and rampant insecurity. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator confirmed the death toll and dire situation in Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps, home to over 700,000 displaced individuals now facing heightened vulnerability. Relief International, the sole provider of essential services at Zamzam Camp, reported the loss of staff members and the capture of their clinic, crucial for delivering healthcare to the camp’s residents. The RSF, however, denied allegations of wrongdoing, asserting that a circulated video depicting civilian suffering was staged by their opponents to discredit them. Amidst the conflict, calls for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid workers have intensified, as the war in Sudan, sparked by internal power struggles in April 2023, continues to devastate regions like Darfur and displace millions of people.
