10 killed by RSF artillery shelling in North Darfur’s capital
May 31, 2024 (EL FASHER) – At least ten people were killed on Friday during intense artillery shelling carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on densely populated neighbourhoods in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Meanwhile, the Al-Faw axis in eastern Sudan saw an exchange of artillery fire between the warring factions.
Since May 10, the historic capital of the Darfur region has been engulfed in fierce battles between the army, supported by allied armed movements, and the RSF. These clashes have resulted in the deaths of over 150 people, injuries to around a thousand, and the displacement of more than 500,000 individuals.
A medical source told Sudan Tribune that “approximately ten people were killed in heavy artillery shelling by the RSF on the southern neighbourhoods of El-Fasher.”
The targeted neighbourhoods included “Al-Inqadh, Al-Amal, Birinja, Al-Kifah, and Al-Salam,” along with the South Hospital, the only operational medical facility in the North Darfur capital.
Mohamed Suleiman Hamed, a volunteer at the southern hospital in El-Fasher, reported that an artillery shell hit the northern wall of the medical facility without causing any casualties.
Hamed strongly condemned the RSF’s targeting of civilian facilities, including hospitals. He added, “The army leadership and the joint forces do not target hospitals.”
He highlighted that the southern hospital is under immense pressure due to the shutdown of all other medical facilities. The pediatric, obstetrics and gynaecology, oncology, and emergency departments continue to operate with support from charities, the state government, and the Darfur region.
Since the onset of the clashes in El-Fasher, several medical facilities have been targeted. An airstrike by the army knocked the Babiker Nahar Children’s Center out of service, and the southern hospital has been repeatedly targeted by the RSF.
Al-Faw axis
In the Al-Faw axis, eastern Sudan, the RSF launched a heavy artillery attack on Friday on the “Major Five” border area, which separates Al-Jazirah State from Al-Faw locality in Gedaref State.
The Sudanese army responded to the attack in the Al-Faw axis with heavy artillery fire.
The RSF has made several attempts to attack Al-Faw locality and enter through “Major Five” without success, leading them to resort to heavy artillery, shelling several sites last week and resulting in the death of a farmer in Village 18.
Army forces and allied troops are stationed in Al-Faw and Al-Khiyari areas in Gedaref State, adjacent to Al-Jazirah State, within three axes aiming to reclaim the agricultural state from the RSF.
Last December, the RSF took control of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazirah State in central Sudan, before expanding southward to the outskirts of Sennar State.