Aerial, artillery strikes claim 18 lives in El Fasher and Kutum of North Darfur

June 19, 2024 (EL FASHER/KUTUM)  – At least 18 people were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday in a relentless wave of aerial and artillery bombardments targeting the cities of El Fasher and Kutum in North Darfur state.

El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has been a battleground since May 10th, as clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (DAF), supported by allied armed movements, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have intensified.

These clashes have tragically resulted in numerous civilian casualties and displaced over 500,000 individuals.

The Abu Shouk camp for displaced people in El Fasher bore the brunt of the RSF’s artillery fire on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by the camp’s emergency response team, the shelling claimed the lives of 14 people and left 25 others injured, including women, children, and the elderly.

In Kutum, northwest of El Fasher, the SAF conducted extensive airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of four civilians. Eyewitness accounts describe fighter jets dropping explosive barrels on civilian infrastructure, including a school and residential areas.

Local activist Anas Mahmoud reported that a single family lost four members in the strikes, with several others injured and at least six homes completely destroyed.

The RSF has maintained control of Kutum since the early stages of the conflict and has been accused of perpetrating widespread human rights abuses against civilians, including killings, looting, arbitrary arrests, and forced displacement.

The town serves as a strategic staging ground for RSF fighters launching attacks on El Fasher and houses a medical facility used to treat their wounded.