Sudanese paramilitary force accused of brutal attacks in central state
February 2, 2023 (WAD AMADAN) – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, has been accused of committing widespread atrocities in the central state of Gezira, leaving nearly 100 civilians dead and displacing thousands.
According to an investigation conducted by the Sudan Tribune team, the RSF launched a series of attacks on 69 villages across the central Sudan state throughout February, using heavy weaponry and inflicting heavy casualties.
Local witnesses and human rights groups, detailing several alleged massacres, including 16 civilians killed in an attack on Sherif Mukhtar village on February 28th, 15 villagers killed and 11 injured in the Al-Aqda al-Magharbeh village attack, and 12 villagers killed and 30 injured in the Ma’aigena village attack.
Verified sources further confirmed the deaths of eight individuals in attacks on Talaih Al-Khalwad village, along with injuries. Similar casualties were reported in Wad Hussein Al-Khalwad (3 killed, 11 injured), Kishm Al-Gisr (1 killed), Wad Al-Basir (two killed, three injured), Marioud (four killed, six injured), and Gureigana (two killed, five injured).
Attacks on villages in southern Jazira, including Shabunat, Al-Doha, and Tabakha, resulted in 5 deaths and 9 injuries. Another brutal attack on Abu Adara on February 23rd claimed the lives of 4 people, while three were killed and eight injured in Tonub village. In Wad Al-Bilya, 6 were killed and 11 injured.
The RSF’s horrific attacks on villages also led to the death of 1 person and the injury of 2 others in Al-Jumu’iya. Similar attacks on Al-Ndayana, Al-Frijab, and Umm Duwwana led to casualties and injuries.
These documented incidents, resulting in at least 91 confirmed deaths and 123 injuries, including children, highlight the gravity of the situation in Jazira.
The recent reports about the atrocities against civilians triggered criticism against the army inertia after the launched of military operations against the positions of the Rapid Support Forces there. Wad Madani Resistance Committees on Friday slammed the “indifference of the Sudanese army towards the RSF abuses against the civilians.”
They further claimed that Sudanese troops are heading to Al-Manaqil locality, located southwest of Al-Jazirah State as they expect an attack on the strategic area, which is bordered to the west and southwest by White Nile State, and to the southeast by Sennar State.
A Sudanese military doctor Tariq Kigab, who is also the Imam of the Corps of Engineers mosque, on his Friday sermon severely blamed the army officers in the region for not hunting the RSF elements and protecting civilians.
Kigab, who is also a general brigadier in the army, claimed they failed to implement the orders of the army leadership, naming the army commander in chief Lt Gen Abel Fattah al-Burhan and his assistant Lt Gen Yasir Alatta.
(ST)