Desperate Times in Sudan: Shelling Strikes Displaced Community Market

Following a brutal shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a market in a camp for displaced people, the situation in Sudan's North Darfur has worsened, raising fears of escalating violence and humanitarian crises.

In a devastating turn of events, North Darfur has seen fresh violence as heavy shelling struck the crowded market at Abu Shouk, a camp for displaced individuals, leaving many dead and injured. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched the attack on Tuesday evening, targeting the camp located on the outskirts of el-Fasher, the last major town in Darfur under army control. The assault, lasting approximately two hours, occurred during peak shopping hours, when many residents were preparing to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to local officials, the camp is home to over half a million people who have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict in the region. This recent attack marks the second time in three days that Abu Shouk has been shelled, with previous hostilities resulting in at least six civilian deaths. The RSF has yet to issue any comment regarding the recent assaults.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has had catastrophic effects, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing millions, with many facing dire food shortages. Both the RSF and the Sudanese army have faced allegations of committing atrocities, with reports indicating genocidal actions against non-Arab groups in Darfur. The country remains divided, with the army maintaining control over the north and east while the RSF holds significant territory in the west and parts of the south.

As the conflict escalates, recent military actions have seen the army reclaim territories in Khartoum and surrounding areas, yet the struggle continues, leaving countless civilians trapped in a cycle of violence and suffering.