SAT 12 APR – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) executed nine aid workers from the INGO Relief International (RI) in a brutal ground assault on Zamzam, Sudan’s largest camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs). RI was operating the only functioning hospital in Zamzam, providing medical care including treatment for severely malnourished children.
The RSF’s attack on Zamzam was confirmed in a new report from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) with ground sources also confirming artillery shelling of El Fasher city and Abu Shouk IDP camp. This is the most significant ground attack on Zamzam - temporary home for an estimated 1 million people - since spring 2024, with arson attacks visible from space according to Yale. Footage here shows civilians executed by the RSF lining the streets of Zamzam.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami condemned the attacks, in which at least 100 people have been killed. She called for safe passage for fleeing civilians and underscored that attacks on humanitarian workers are grave violations of international humanitarian law. The camps are home to civilians who have been displaced multiple times during this conflict, as well as communities who were displaced in the early 2000s when the Janjaweed began their genocide.
“There is a high risk of genocide and further atrocity crimes are imminent,” said Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) in a statement. Civilians told NP that “If we leave, we will die on the road where no one knows. We’d rather die in El Fasher where the world is watching and people know about it."
The Abu Shouk Emergency Response Room (ERR) told Avaaz that “10 volunteers have been killed in Zamzam camp yesterday. I think the same destination is awaiting us”. The only operating medical centre in Abu Shouk has run out of medicines. Major trauma cases are being transported to Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, however there is shelling along the route (see here for graphic footage of the injured). There are also reports that the RSF killed children and others at a Quranic school in Zamzam. Avaaz has not yet verified the attack.
“The international community has known for months that an RSF assault on Zamzam was looming. They cannot claim to have not known what was coming for the people of North Darfur. Words of condemnation will not save lives, civilian protection action is needed today, starting with restoring the telecoms networks so that the true depravity of the RSF’s genocide can be revealed to the world” - Shayna Lewis, Sudan Specialist with Avaaz.
Shannon Radsky, Head of Mission for NP Sudan called on “states, and the UN Security Council, to use all available diplomatic, political, and economic levers to protect civilians and prevent further mass atrocities in Sudan.”
Interviews available on request. Names have been changed due to safety concerns.
Mohammed, a volunteer with the Monitoring and Follow-up Room in Abu Shouk camp told Avaaz that “Last Thursday, 24 people were killed and 32 were injured. On Friday, we counted 8 killed. Today, we couldn't even count how many were killed because the shelling started early in the morning and killed people across different areas of the camp, from the market area to block no. 3 and other blocks. We have counted 40 so far and more than 100 injured. The ambulance has no fuel, and people are now dying because no one is coming to their aid. The medical center has no medicine. We have organized a 'nafeer' where people brought their own personal supplies of painkillers and gauze bandages to equip the medical center.
We are in a dire situation."
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The weekly dispatch features the latest developments, first-hand testimony, footage, photos, stats and analysis on Sudan. We can connect you with voices from the ground, experts and survivors of the war. I am available at +44 7935 296 004 / sudan@avaaz.org
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People caught trying to smuggle food into the besieged city of El Fasher are being “executed on sight” by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to one civilian.
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