Egypt,Gulf countries, UN condemn deadly RSF attacks on Sudan displacement camps
April 13, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations condemned on Sunday attacks described as violent launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on camps for displaced people and areas in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, resulting in civilian and aid worker deaths and injuries.
Reports and eyewitnesses said the Rapid Support Forces attacked the Zamzam camp for the displaced, located southwest of El Fasher, committing widespread violations including killing, looting and forced displacement. The nearby Abu Shouk camp and areas in El Fasher were also subjected to intense artillery shelling by the RSF.
Several international and regional bodies issued condemnations. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks as a “violation of international humanitarian law,” affirming its rejection of targeting civilians and stressing the need to protect aid workers. Riyadh called for the implementation of the Jeddah Declaration, signed in May 2023, to protect civilians.
Qatar’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the attacks that led to civilian deaths and injuries, calling them a “clear violation of international humanitarian law.” It called for the protection of civilians and aid workers and for ensuring sustainable aid access, reiterating its support for peace efforts in Sudan.
Egypt’s foreign ministry also condemned what it described as “grave violations of international humanitarian law,” including the killing of civilians and workers for international relief organisations. Cairo stressed the need to protect humanitarian personnel and affirmed its support for Sudan’s unity and sovereignty.
The UAE foreign ministry condemned the “armed attacks” on the camps and relief teams, affirming its rejection of violence against “humanitarian workers who dedicate their lives to serving those in need”.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killing of dozens of civilians, pointing to what he called “coordinated ground and air attacks” launched by the RSF. He confirmed the killing of nine humanitarian workers while they were working at a health centre.
Guterres said El Fasher, besieged for over a year, was suffering from hundreds of thousands of people being deprived of aid, pointing to reports of “famine conditions” in Zamzam and other camps. He stressed that attacks against civilians were prohibited under international law and called for the protection of aid workers, accountability for perpetrators, secure aid access, and for civilians to be allowed to leave safely.
The attack on Zamzam camp lasted for three days and resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and the destruction of vital facilities including the market, health centres and water sources, according to local sources. Thousands of people were displaced towards El Fasher and other areas before the RSF took control of the camp.