Have Over 2,000 Civilians Died in El Fasher Due to RSF Control?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 2,000 civilians have reportedly been killed in El Fasher.
- The paramilitary RSF is accused of committing genocide.
- The Sudan Doctors Network documented nearly 1,500 deaths in recent days.
- The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis with millions displaced.
- International response is critical to address the situation.
Khartoum, Oct 29 (NationPress) The Sudanese government announced on Wednesday that over 2,000 civilians have lost their lives due to the actions of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of El Fasher, located in western Sudan, since the group took control.
During a press briefing held in Port Sudan, Mona Nour Al-Daem, the Deputy Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid in Sudan, denounced these acts as genocide against defenseless civilians.
She revealed that the RSF has been responsible for the execution of patients and wounded individuals in hospitals and has actively pursued fleeing civilians, with reports indicating that many victims have suffered from sexual violence, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Furthermore, the Sudan Doctors Network, a volunteer organization, has documented nearly 1,500 civilian deaths attributed to the RSF in El Fasher over the last three days. This brings the total number of deaths in the city since the RSF siege commenced in May 2024 to over 14,000.
The statement from the organization characterized these latest killings as part of a sustained campaign involving shelling, starvation, and executions under a deliberate and comprehensive siege that targets hospitals, markets, and displacement camps.
In contrast, the Sudan Founding Alliance, a coalition that includes the RSF, various armed factions, political parties, and civil society groups, has refuted claims of violence against civilians in El Fasher.
On Sunday, the RSF declared its control over El Fasher, while on Monday, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), stated that the SAF had withdrawn "for military reasons" but promised to reclaim the city.
The ongoing conflict between the SAF and RSF, now in its third year, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, displaced millions, and left a significant portion of the country facing the threat of famine.