Violence in Darfur claims 12 more lives as rival Sudanese generals clash

A recent clash between rival Sudanese generals in the war-torn region of Darfur resulted in the deaths of at least twelve civilians, according to a doctor operating in the devastated area. Speaking from the capital of South Darfur state, the doctor revealed that the ongoing fighting had led to a provisional death toll of twelve individuals in Nyala.

However, the source, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons, highlighted that the intensity of the conflict has hindered the movement of victims to hospitals. Reports from residents on Saturday described battles, shelling, and artillery strikes in Nyala.

Darfur, an expansive western region bordering Chad, has become the epicenter of violent confrontations between Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The United Nations has expressed concerns that the violence in Darfur has taken on an “ethnic dimension” and may amount to “crimes against humanity.”

Daglo’s RSF forces trace their origins back to the Janjaweed militias, which were unleashed by former strongman Omar al-Bashir in response to a rebellion by ethnic minorities in Darfur in 2003, resulting in accusations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Since the battles erupted in the capital city of Khartoum on April 15, nearly 2,800 people have lost their lives in Sudan, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The International Organization for Migration reports that close to two million individuals have been internally displaced, with approximately 600,000 others fleeing across Sudan’s borders.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the United Nations has called for “immediate action” to halt the killings of people attempting to escape El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, where Arab militias aided by paramilitary forces have been responsible for the violence. The United States State Department reported in mid-June that up to 1,100 individuals have been killed in El Geneina.

The streets of El Geneina are strewn with bodies, including a group found lying face down on a dirt road, while looters have pillaged shops in the chaos.

In a desperate attempt to avoid bullets, families embark on a treacherous 30-kilometer (18-mile) journey to neighboring Chad, where over 155,000 individuals have sought refuge. In the town of Adre, just across the border, displaced refugees huddle under tarpaulins stretched over branches and patiently queue for food and water.

The United Nations has managed to provide assistance to at least 2.8 million people in Sudan, but humanitarian agencies face significant obstacles in their operations, ranging from visa issues for foreign aid workers to the establishment of safe corridors.

At a conference held in Geneva last week, international donors pledged $1.5 billion in aid for Sudan, which falls significantly short of the estimated requirements for Sudan and its affected neighboring countries.

The United States, together with Saudi Arabia, had been actively involved in mediating between the warring factions and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. However, the United States recently announced a suspension of its efforts.

While the capital city of Khartoum has been the main battleground, the armed forces have escalated their air raids, while RSF artillery targets army and police bases. The remaining residents in Khartoum endure shortages of electricity and water, with several individuals reporting artillery fire in the southern part of the city and clashes in other areas.