Sudan’s RSF Airstrikes Claim 175 Lives, Spark Outrage
At least 175 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and many more have been injured, following a harrowing series of airstrikes on Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and surrounding areas on Monday and Tuesday. These assaults have been attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group locked in a brutal conflict with the Sudanese army for nearly 20 months.
The wave of destruction began with a devastating airstrike on Monday that targeted a bustling marketplace in the town of Kabkabiya, located approximately 180 kilometers west of North Darfur. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 100 civilians, including numerous women and children, according to reports from a local rights organization. The marketplace, a vital hub for the local community, was left in ruins, causing significant devastation and chaos.
One particularly chilling incident involved a single shell striking a passenger bus, resulting in the immediate death of all 22 individuals on board. This act was condemned by local leader Ahmed Othman Hamza as a “massacre” perpetrated by the RSF, reflecting the deepening brutality of the conflict. In addition to this, at least 65 more lives were lost in Omdurman, an area under army control. Khartoum Governor Ahmed Othman Hamza confirmed that around 100 others sustained injuries during these horrific assaults, adding to the growing toll of the violence.
Tuesday marked a terrifying escalation, with some of the most intense clashes of the year between the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by his former ally turned adversary, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The fighting raged across multiple fronts, with both sides employing heavy artillery, causing widespread destruction and fear among the civilian population.
Sudan, a nation that is predominantly Arab and located on the fringes of sub-Saharan Africa, has been engulfed in civil war since 2023. The conflict erupted between the military and the RSF, which originated from the infamous Janjaweed militia, notorious for their role in the Darfur crisis. The RSF, initially established to fight insurgencies in Darfur, evolved into a powerful paramilitary force, challenging the authority of the Sudanese military.
Although estimates are difficult to confirm, it is believed that at least 24,000 people have perished in this ongoing violence, with millions more displaced from their homes. The conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, with widespread shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. This tragic conflict has drawn significantly less global attention compared to the wars raging in the Middle East and Ukraine, despite its devastating impact on the civilian population.
The recent airstrikes have exacerbated the already dire situation, leading to calls for international intervention and humanitarian aid. The relentless violence has made it increasingly difficult for aid organizations to operate in the region, leaving many without essential services and support.
The situation remains volatile, with both the Sudanese army and the RSF showing no signs of relenting. The international community continues to watch with concern as the conflict unfolds, hoping for a resolution that can bring peace to the war-torn nation.
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