Chaos Erupts in Sudan's Zamzam Camp Amid Escalating Violence**

The situation in the Zamzam camp for displaced people in North Darfur has turned dire as reports emerge of a paramilitary assault, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in a region already stricken by conflict.**

In a shocking development, the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, home to approximately 500,000 residents facing famine, has come under attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a controversial paramilitary group. Reports indicate that RSF fighters stormed the camp, engaging in looting and incinerating parts of the marketplace and several homes, marking a troubling escalation of violence in an already volatile region.

Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as "extremely catastrophic," with multiple casualties reported. This marked the first time the RSF has been accused of invading Zamzam, despite ongoing shelling that has plagued the camp since the latter part of last year. The surrounding city of el-Fasher, a focal point of the civil conflict ignited in 2023, is currently besieged by the RSF as tensions with the military heighten—a conflict exacerbated by the collapse of their previous alliance over a transition to civilian governance.

The Sudanese IDPs and Refugees Bloc stated that the attack on the camp occurred on Tuesday, although an RSF spokesperson denied any involvement in the incursion, attributing their actions to a nearby military base taken from an armed faction allied with the Sudanese army. Confirmation from BBC Verify includes video evidence featuring armed individuals displaying RSF insignia amid flames, further complicating the narrative.

Medical aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which operates a facility within the camp, reported receiving seven deceased individuals and over twenty wounded persons, most in critical condition. With the local hospital incapacitated and the RSF obstructing access to el-Fasher for further treatment, the health crisis has intensified, leaving many without adequate care.

The humanitarian situation took a turn for the worse in late 2022 when Zamzam faced a significant uptick in artillery attacks—acts which have been attributed to the RSF by various aid organizations. A coalition of international NGOs underscored that the violence represented a troubling "escalation" against a previously stable shelter for the displaced, noting an alarming reality: there are now no safe havens in North Darfur for those fleeing conflict.

As el-Fasher remains the last city under military control in the conflict-ridden region, the ongoing RSF siege highlights an urgent need for humanitarian intervention. The situation continues to evolve, drawing global attention amidst grave concerns for the well-being of a beleaguered population in desperate search of safety and sustenance.