On Friday, an attack by the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village south of Khartoum resulted in the deaths of at least 124 people, according to reports from activists and doctors.
This incident is one of the deadliest to occur amidst the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which has been marked by violence and civilian casualties since fighting broke out in April of last year. The RSF has been engaged in a fierce conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), both of which have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians during the conflict.
The attack on Al-Sareeha village comes in the wake of the defection of the RSF commander in the Al-Jazirah region, which appears to have escalated hostilities. Reports suggest that the RSF has intensified its attacks since this leadership change.
A member of the grassroots Resistance Committees stated that over 200 civilians were injured during the assault, and about 150 individuals were detained by RSF forces. This reflects a growing pattern of violence that continues to plague the region, raising concerns about the safety of the local population.
Sudan’s Civil War Escalates as RSF Attack on Village Near Khartoum Leaves Over 120 Dead
Activists fear that the actual number of victims may be much higher than reported due to challenges in documentation and communication barriers. The RSF’s confiscation of Starlink devices, which were the primary means of communication for civilians, has severely hampered efforts to gather accurate information about the incident.
Furthermore, more than 30 villages in the eastern Al-Jazirah region have been abandoned as residents flee from escalating violence and retaliatory attacks by RSF forces.
The Sudan Doctors Network corroborated the reports of mass killings in Al-Sareeha, describing the incident as a massacre against civilians. They confirmed the death toll of 124, numerous injuries, and significant displacement of residents.
However, CNN has noted that it cannot independently verify these reports due to restrictions preventing media teams from entering the affected area, complicating the ability to provide an accurate account of the situation.
The ongoing conflict between the SAF and RSF has triggered a humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which the United Nations has characterized as one of the worst in the world. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives, and millions have been displaced due to the violence.
Previous investigations, including reports from CNN, have highlighted a campaign by the RSF involving grave human rights violations and atrocities, particularly in Sudan’s western Darfur region, a place already devastated by severe conflict and human suffering.
