UN Reports Over 480 Civilian Deaths in North Darfur Attacks Within Two Weeks

In recent weeks, the ongoing violence in Sudan’s North Darfur region has escalated, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of over 480 civilians. As reported by ZezapTV, the United Nations has documented a troubling surge in killings and instances of sexual violence in the area.

The UN human rights office issued a statement noting that since April 10, at least 481 civilians have lost their lives, with experts suggesting that the actual figures could be much higher. The report indicates that many of these violent acts appear to be motivated by ethnic tensions, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of vulnerable communities.

UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that “the suffering of the Sudanese people is hard to imagine, harder to comprehend and simply impossible to accept.” The conflict, which ignited on April 15, 2023, has been characterized by a power struggle between Sudan’s army, under the leadership of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. This internecine violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation, with the UN describing it as one of the world’s worst crises.

Among the most harrowing incidents reported was a violent attack in the Zamzam displacement camp from April 11 to 13, which resulted in the deaths of at least 210 civilians, including nine medical professionals. The accounts of atrocities include reports of women, girls, and boys suffering from sexual violence as they attempted to flee.

In a continued surge of violence, an additional 129 civilians were reportedly killed in locations including el-Fasher city, the Um Kedada district, and the Abu Shouk displacement camp. Turk highlighted that these attacks were often ethnically motivated, with specific communities being targeted.

The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, many of whom had previously fled due to the extensive violence. The UN reports that these displaced populations are facing dire circumstances, compounded by restricted access to essential humanitarian assistance. Notably, the World Food Programme (WFP) has signaled a potential need to reduce food aid due to a lack of funding, resulting in rations being cut to 70% of the standard allocation in famine-risk areas.

The overall humanitarian response is further threatened by attacks against humanitarian and medical personnel. Turk underscored the increasing peril faced by workers assisting those in need, noting that “the systems to assist victims in many areas are on the verge of collapse,” particularly as even basic resources like water supplies are under threat.

The situation in North Darfur highlights the urgent need for increased international attention and humanitarian support to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this protracted conflict.

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