Series of shooting in western Sudan result in over 23 deaths
Date
7/15/2024 4:02:12 AM
(MENAFN) At least 23 civilians lost their lives in a series of shootings perpetrated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan State, western Sudan, as reported by non-governmental organizations on Sunday. According to a statement from the Mashad Observatory for Human Rights, an unofficial legal body, the RSF militia committed what they described as a "massacre" across several villages within the Al-Rahad locality, leading to the deaths of these civilians and injuring others.
The violence erupted when an RSF unit intercepted multiple vehicles traveling from Al-Rahad city to the weekly market in Um Simaima village, located north of Um Rawaba city. Witnesses indicated that the RSF opened fire indiscriminately on the passengers. The Sudanese Doctors Network also condemned the attack, labeling it a "heinous crime against defenseless civilians," emphasizing that the victims were simply on their way to shop when they were targeted.
As of now, the RSF has not issued any comments regarding the incident. This tragedy occurs within the broader context of a brutal conflict in Sudan, which has pitted the Sudanese Armed Forces against the RSF since mid-April 2023. The ongoing violence has led to significant loss of life, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting that at least 16,650 individuals have died due to the conflict.
Furthermore, the humanitarian crisis has escalated dramatically, displacing over 7.7 million people within Sudan and forcing approximately 2.2 million others to seek refuge in neighboring countries, according to data released by the UN International Organization for Migration on June 25. The situation continues to deteriorate, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.
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