Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a deadly attack on Zamzam Camp for displaced people near al-Fasher, killing and injuring hundreds, most of them women and children. This happened between Thursday and Saturday, according to the General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees. Homes, markets, and clinics were destroyed. The attack is being called one of the worst since the Sudan war began in April 2023. The group condemned it as “a war crime and crime against humanity.”
Displaced Civilians Trapped Without Help or Shelter
Zamzam and Abu Shouk Camps, which house over 700,000 displaced people, have been hit hard. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami confirmed that at least 100 civilians were killed across both camps. Many trapped people have no access to food, medicine, or safety. Relief International, the last aid group operating in Zamzam Camp, said its clinic was attacked and nine of its workers – including doctors and drivers,were killed. “This was a targeted attack on the most vulnerable, elderly people, women, and children,” the organisation said.
RSF Denies Attacks, Claims Victims Are Actors
The RSF denied all the allegations. In a statement, the group accused the Sudanese army of staging videos and using actors to tarnish its image. It claimed the scenes of suffering in Zamzam Camp were part of a media setup. The RSF insisted it was not behind any civilian attacks and said it remains committed to international humanitarian law. Still, local leaders and aid agencies are calling for a ceasefire and immediate access for humanitarian workers.
Ongoing War Fuels Suffering in Darfur
The war began in April 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF. Since then, it has destroyed major parts of Sudan, especially the Darfur region, where Zamzam and Abu Shouk Camps are located. Millions have been displaced. As the army makes progress in Khartoum, the RSF is holding tight to its strongholds in Darfur. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with food shortages, insecurity, and attacks on aid workers making survival almost impossible for displaced people.