A shelter in the besieged city of El Fasher in the Darfur region was targeted by a shelling and drone attack carried out by Sudanese paramilitary forces, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 53 individuals, as reported by a group of doctors. The assault, which occurred late Friday, was perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and claimed the lives of 14 children and 15 women among the victims.
The Sudan Doctors Network, an organization of medical professionals monitoring the conflict, disclosed that 21 people were also wounded in the attack, including five children and seven women, with many sustaining severe injuries. The targeted site, al-Arqam Home, a refuge for displaced families in El Fasher, was situated at the Omdurman Islamic University.
Describing the incident as a “massacre” and denouncing it as a violation of international laws and norms, the medical group emphasized the RSF’s aggressive actions against civilians. The RSF has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the attack.
Human rights advocates, including the Mashad Organization, condemned the assault as one of the most horrific massacres since the RSF initiated its offensive over a year ago, characterizing it as a potential act of genocide that has unfolded amidst global silence.
El Fasher has been a focal point of conflict between the Sudanese military and paramilitary groups, with the city serving as the military’s final stronghold in Darfur. Following a total blockade enforced by the paramilitaries in July, approximately 260,000 civilians are trapped in El Fasher, having fled previous RSF attacks. The dire situation in the city is exacerbated by food shortages and disease outbreaks, such as cholera, according to the United Nations.
The ongoing violence in Sudan erupted in April 2023, stemming from tensions between the military and the RSF in Khartoum and beyond. This conflict has escalated into a full-scale war, resulting in numerous casualties, widespread displacement, and famine in various regions of the country. The International Criminal Court is investigating the grave atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
