At least 49 people were killed and dozens more wounded in a retaliatory attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on villages in East Al Jazirah, central Sudan.
The attack, which targeted civilians, has triggered a humanitarian crisis and fueled further displacement.
The RSF launched the assault on Thursday, targeting Zurqa, a village 10 km east of Tambul, where they killed eight people. The death toll in Safita al-Ghunomab has climbed to 14, with another 13 people, including a woman, killed in Maknun. Two citizens were killed in the village of Deim Elias, and 12 more lost their lives in Tambul.
The Al Jazirah Conference released a statement reporting that the RSF’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in 300 deaths across 30 villages in the Tambul area. Sudan Tribune, however, indicates that the casualty count remains incomplete due to communication outages and the ongoing search for the missing.
These attacks are believed to be a retaliation for the defection of a prominent RSF commander, Abu Aqla Kikal, who joined the Sudanese army last Sunday.
Kikal’s defection has sparked ongoing waves of displacement as the RSF seeks revenge against those perceived to be supporting the army.
RSF accused of atrocities
Residents of east Al Jazirah villages have given consistent accounts to Sudan Tribune of RSF atrocities against civilians. One survivor from the village of Ad al-Khadr described RSF members slaughtering a citizen and firing randomly before setting agricultural fields ablaze.
Eyewitnesses have also reported seeing army drones targeting RSF positions in Tambul.
Humanitarian crisis unfolds
The attacks have forced residents from 24 villages to flee their homes, including al-Sharafa al-Bahr, Dalut al-Bahr, al-Habika al-Naqr, Bant, al-Amara Ali, Ad al-Khadr, Wad al-Hussein East, Wad al-Hussein West, Wad al-Humaim, al-Abudab, al-Aziaba, al-Suqia, al-Junayd al-Hilla, al-Hashishab, al-Sayal, and the five villages that make up Kariyat. The displacement has also affected neighbourhoods in Tambul and most of Rufaa city.
Displaced people are facing a dire humanitarian situation. Many are struggling with severe food shortages and lack basic commodities, especially flour. Looting by the RSF at the start of the attacks has left displacement destinations with a severe shortage of cash and widespread loss of personal funds.
One displaced person told Sudan Tribune that the humanitarian response has been inadequate in the face of the escalating displacement in the Tundub area. They appealed to international organizations for urgent assistance.