A shelter in the besieged city of El Fasher in Darfur was struck by a shelling and drone attack carried out by Sudanese paramilitary forces, resulting in the death of at least 53 individuals, according to a doctors’ group report on Saturday. Among the casualties were 14 children and 15 women. The assault, orchestrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), caused injuries to 21 people, including five children and seven women, with many sustaining severe wounds.
The targeted location, al-Arqam Home, a refuge for displaced families in El Fasher, was situated at the Omdurman Islamic University. The Sudan Doctors Network, a coalition of medical practitioners monitoring the conflict, condemned the attack as part of a relentless campaign against civilians, violating international norms and laws. The RSF did not provide an immediate response to inquiries regarding the incident.
Human rights organizations, including the Mashad Organization, characterized the assault as one of the most horrific massacres since the RSF’s campaign began over a year ago, denouncing it as a potential act of genocide. El Fasher has been a focal point of the conflict between Sudanese military forces and paramilitaries, with the city facing continuous bombardments and a blockade imposed by the RSF in July. Approximately 260,000 civilians are trapped in the city, enduring food shortages and disease outbreaks, including cholera.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 following clashes between the military and RSF in Khartoum and other regions, escalating into a deadly war that has claimed numerous lives and displaced millions. The International Criminal Court is investigating the widespread atrocities, such as mass killings and sexual violence, as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
