Sudan – The Rapid Support Forces ignored regional and international condemnations of the killings and looting they committed in Sudan, killing 10 civilians and wounding a number of others in their attack on the Donki al-Hur area in West Kordofan state. As announced by the “Sudan Doctors Network” yesterday, Thursday.
The network said in a statement reported by the Sudanese newspaper “Al-Mashhad” on its website today, Thursday, that the Rapid Support Forces that carried out the attack “looted the market and medical facilities, and burned a number of homes.”
The Sudan Doctors Network condemned the attack, looting and burning, considering it “a continuation of killing and displacement in all areas where the Rapid Support Forces are present.”
In terms of reactions to what is happening in Sudan, Egypt condemned “the blatant attacks by the Rapid Support militia in the state of Al-Jazeera in central Sudan, which resulted in the displacement of thousands from their homes,” considering this “a flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law.”
This came in a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, yesterday evening, Wednesday, in which it said that it was “following with great concern the events in the east of Al-Jazira State and the fierce attacks carried out by the Rapid Support militia in this region,” stressing that it “targeted innocent and defenseless civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.”
The statement renewed Egypt’s emphasis on “the necessity of preserving Sudanese national institutions as they are the pillar of the state and the only way to preserve the unity and safety of Sudan,” and reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire and reaching a comprehensive political solution that achieves what the Sudanese people aspire to.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry’s statement yesterday comes after the United States condemned the attack by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces on Al-Jazira State, which according to the Ministry of Health resulted in the death of more than 120 people, and urged it to stop immediately.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, “The United States condemns these attacks in the strongest terms and calls on the Rapid Support Forces to immediately stop violence against civilians.”
Miller also renewed his call for the Rapid Support Forces and the army to end the bloody civil war, saying that the United States “will continue to impose costs” after announcing sanctions on leaders on both sides of the conflict. Miller added, “These heinous attacks are unfortunately the latest in a very long war.”
Rapid Support Forces control large parts of Al-Jazira State, including its capital, Wad Madani, with the exception of the city of Al-Manaqil, and the surrounding areas up to the borders of Sennar State in the south, and west to the borders of White Nile State.
In recent days, local and international accusations of the Rapid Support Forces of committing violations and mass murders against civilians in Al-Jazeera State have escalated, without any comment from these paramilitary forces.
Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim announced last Monday that at least 124 people were killed and 200 others were injured in an attack launched by the Rapid Support Forces on the town of Al-Sariha in Al-Jazira State.
Last Sunday, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkwita Salami, spoke of reports that RSF fighters opened fire on civilians indiscriminately in areas east of the island, committed acts of sexual violence against women and girls, looted markets and homes on a large scale, and burned farms.
European Union foreign policy official Josep Borrell said, “There are reports that the Rapid Support Forces are committing more mass killings and rapes. The massacres against civilians must stop and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”
On Saturday, Sudanese activists and doctors accused the Rapid Support Forces of killing 124 civilians in attacks on the village of Al-Sariha on the island, in retaliation for the defection of leaders from this state from the Rapid Support and joining the army.
Last Friday, the head of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, said that the Rapid Support’s violations of international law and its crimes against humanity will not go unpunished, and make it impossible to tolerate them.
The war in Sudan that broke out in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces left more than 20,000 dead and more than 11 million displaced and refugees, according to the United Nations.
Source: Agencies
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**Interview with Dr. Amira Hassan, Sudanese Political Analyst**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Hassan. The conflict in Sudan, particularly involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the recent violence in Al-Jazira State, has escalated dramatically. Can you explain the significance of these attacks and their impact on civilians?
**Dr. Hassan**: Thank you for having me. The attacks by the RSF in Al-Jazira State are deeply alarming and represent a continuation of a broader pattern of violence that has persisted since the conflict began. The recent events have resulted in civilian casualties – over 120 deaths reported – and widespread displacement. This not only exacerbates the humanitarian crisis but also undermines any attempts at stability and peace in the region.
**Interviewer**: The international community has reacted strongly, with condemnations from both Egypt and the United States. Do you think these reactions will pressure the RSF to change their tactics?
**Dr. Hassan**: While international condemnation is crucial, history shows that such responses often have limited impact on militia groups like the RSF, especially given their entrenched positions and local support. The RSF has ignored previous sanctions and advice, instead continuing their operations. What is needed is coordinated international action that includes tangible consequences for further violence, although the current geopolitical landscape complicates this.
**Interviewer**: Local bodies, such as the Sudan Doctors Network, have reported consistent violence against civilians. What does this indicate about the RSF’s goals?
**Dr. Hassan**: The RSF’s actions suggest a strategy aimed at instilling fear and maintaining control over territories, using violence as a tool to suppress opposition and alter demographics through displacement. Such tactics can also be intended to disrupt any possibility for organized resistance, making it harder for civil society to mobilize and challenge their authority.
**Interviewer**: With continued fighting and displacement, what are the immediate humanitarian needs in regions affected by RSF violence?
**Dr. Hassan**: The immediate needs are immense. There is a critical shortage of medical supplies and personnel due to targeted attacks on facilities. Additionally, displaced populations require food, shelter, and psychological support. Humanitarian access is increasingly restricted, making it essential for the international community to push for safe corridors to deliver aid without compromising the safety of the civilians.
**Interviewer**: what hope is there for a resolution to this conflict?
**Dr. Hassan**: Resolutions require genuine political dialogue and robust international mediation, addressing the root causes of the conflict rather than merely its symptoms. All parties involved, including the RSF and the military, must be held accountable for their actions, and there must be a concerted effort to protect civilians and restore faith in national institutions. It’s a monumental challenge, but one that is necessary for a sustainable peace.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Hassan, for your insights on this critical situation. We hope for a swift resolution and safety for the people of Sudan.
**Dr. Hassan**: Thank you for covering this important issue. Awareness is the first step toward change.
