Sudan Accuses Rapid Support Forces of Massacre in Al-Jazeera State
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing a massacre in the city of Hilaliya, Al-Jazeera State, resulting in the deaths of 120 civilians over the past two days. This allegation follows a series of escalating accusations against the RSF for mass killings and other violations against civilians in the region. The ministry reported that victims were killed either by gunfire or due to food poisoning and lack of medical care, as many civilians are reportedly held hostage by the RSF in various locations throughout the city.
The Foreign Ministry's statement emphasizes that the ongoing atrocities by the RSF appear to be a strategy to provoke international military intervention in Sudan under the guise of protecting civilians. This tactic, they argue, allows the militia to maintain its positions and avoid military defeat. In light of these events, the Sudanese government has called for the RSF to be classified as a terrorist organization, urging for the prosecution of its leaders and anyone aiding them.
Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
Reports from Sudanese activists indicate that the death toll from the RSF's recent actions in Hilaliya has reached 91, with 12 individuals killed by live ammunition and others succumbing to food poisoning. The violence has led to significant displacement, with over 135,000 people fleeing attacks in eastern Al-Jazeera State. Clashes between the RSF and the Sudanese army reignited on October 20, following the defection of RSF leader Abu Aqla Kikil to the army, which has triggered a wave of retaliatory violence across the region.
Humanitarian reports from the Yale Humanitarian Lab reveal a troubling increase in graves across several towns in Al-Jazeera, alongside evidence of agricultural destruction in areas like Azraq. Since the onset of conflict in mid-April 2023, the death toll has surpassed 20,000, with approximately 13 million people displaced, according to the United Nations and local authorities.
International Response and Calls for Action
The international community, including the United Nations, has increasingly called for an end to the violence in Sudan to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. The ongoing conflict has led to severe food shortages, pushing millions towards famine and exacerbating the crisis affecting 13 of Sudan's 18 states. As the situation unfolds, the need for a coordinated global response to protect civilians and restore stability in Sudan becomes ever more urgent.
