73 people killed in mysterious circumstance in Sudanese town of al-Hilaliya
No Fewer than 73 people have lost their lives in the Sudanese town of al-Hilaliya due to mysterious causes, according to the Sudanese Doctors Union.
The town has been under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since October 29, after a top RSF commander defected to the army, sparking revenge attacks that have displaced over 135,000 people.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the RSF and the army has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, displacing over 11 million people and leaving many more vulnerable to hunger. Foreign powers have been drawn into the conflict, raising concerns about state collapse.
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In al-Hilaliya, the cause of death has been identified as diarrhea, overwhelming the local hospital. However, a network blackout enforced by the RSF has hindered efforts to determine the exact cause. Residents who wish to leave are forced to pay hefty sums at RSF checkpoints.
The siege began after the RSF raided the town, killing five people and trapping residents inside three mosques. Locals believe the blockade may be linked to al-Hilaliya, the hometown of defected commander Abuagla Keikal. The town’s markets and warehouses were looted, and satellite imagery shows a rapid increase in cemeteries in several Gezira towns since the revenge attacks started.
The conflict has had devastating consequences, with over 17.7 million people facing acute food insecurity and 4.9 million on the brink of famine. The crisis has also led to disease outbreaks, including cholera, measles, and malaria, with over 11,000 suspected cholera cases reported.
