RSF shelling of Darfur camp kills 8, wounds 13
December 2, 2024 (EL FASHER) — At least eight people were killed and 13 others injured when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled a camp for displaced people in North Darfur for a second consecutive day, camp officials said Monday.
The RSF has been besieging the Zamzam camp, located 13 kilometres (8 miles) southwest of El Fasher, and began firing long-range missiles on Sunday.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, said the attack turned the lives of displaced people into a “living nightmare,” with casualties, widespread panic, and increased displacement.
The medical aid group’s teams received eight injured people on Sunday, including women and children as young as 4. Four were transferred to another facility Monday before shelling resumed, hitting areas near a market and the group’s field hospital.
Doctors Without Borders said patients and medical staff fled the camp.
“The MSF hospital is now empty, and the last three patients in intensive care have been evacuated,” the group said.
“People were not only starving but are now being bombed and forced to flee again,” said Michel-Olivier Lacharité, the group’s head of emergencies. “We are concerned for their safety, including that of our staff, and urgently call for protecting patients, civilians, medical teams and health facilities in Zamzam camp.”
The Zamzam camp media centre condemned the “heavy artillery shelling” and called on the international community and the U.N. Security Council to intervene.
The commander of joint force operations in North Darfur, Aboud Adam Khatir, accused the RSF of “fabricating lies” to justify targeting civilians. He called for decisive measures to prevent further attacks and ensure accountability.
RSF, Joint Force trade accusations
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused a joint force of armed movements of using displaced people in Zamzam camp as human shields after fleeing El Fasher, according to an RSF statement.
The RSF spokesman alleged that the joint force, which includes the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi, established military positions within the camp. He further claimed they had previously warned of plans to turn the camp into a military barracks.
For its part, the joint force denied accusations by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that they used displaced people in the Zamzam camp as human shields. In a statement, the joint force called the RSF’s claims “lies” intended to justify attacks on civilians.
The joint force urged the international community to condemn the RSF’s “criminal behaviour” and “blatant violation of international humanitarian law.” They also called for measures to prevent further attacks on civilians.
Zamzam camp is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to a lack of aid, with the RSF accused of imposing a siege and restricting humanitarian and commercial access.