The RSF’s renewed attacks on the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur have prompted Governor Minni Arko Minawi to call for armed defense against the aggressors. Médecins Sans Frontières emphasized the urgent need to protect civilians and facilitate safe evacuation as escalating violence places thousands at risk.
On February 12, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified their assault on the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons in North Darfur, prompting a call to arms from Regional Governor Minni Arko Minawi. He urged those capable of carrying weapons to protect the displaced individuals. As violence escalated, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) issued grave warnings regarding the peril faced by civilians caught in the conflict.
The RSF’s attack on the camp has resulted in extensive civilian harm, including the burning of the main market and looting of displaced persons’ properties. Despite an attempt to counter the offensive by the army, Joint Forces, and Popular Resistance, hostility persisted over two days, intensifying fears among those within the camp.
Onlookers in El Fasher reported continued violent disturbances, characterized by explosions and fires. Many displaced residents fled the camp, enduring dangerous conditions and sustaining injuries, further complicating their escape. Testimonies indicated conditions of fear, hunger, and despair among the camp’s women and children.
The Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur condemned the RSF’s actions as a massacre and a war crime, highlighting the dire consequences of the attacks. Spokesperson Adam Regal described the camp’s streets as strewn with blood and body parts, calling for immediate international intervention to protect the displaced.
Concerns are mounting that if the RSF takes full control of the Zamzam camp, it could lead to ethnic cleansing, as seen recently in Geneina, West Darfur. The RSF claims that camp residents are affiliated with opposing forces, using this justification for their violent actions.
In December, the RSF launched long-range artillery attacks on the camp, leading to numerous casualties and property destruction, alleging that displaced individuals were used as human shields. This claim was rejected by the Joint Forces.
MSF urgently appealed to all involved in the conflict to protect civilians, healthcare staff, and medical facilities amid the ongoing violence. The organization expressed significant concern for the well-being of those in Zamzam, emphasizing the challenges faced by their medical team.
MSF’s hospital in Zamzam has seen an increase in patients due to the violence, including ten reported deaths during recent influxes of patients. They lack trauma surgery capabilities, and access to the nearest treatment centers is also obstructed by clashes.
To protect vulnerable populations and medical personnel, MSF reiterated the importance of allowing civilian evacuation from the camp and safeguarding health facilities. They are calling for hostilities to cease to facilitate safe passage for those trapped in the conflict.
The renewed RSF attacks on the Zamzam displaced persons camp have exacerbated an already critical humanitarian crisis in North Darfur. With increasing violence and calls for armed defense, civilian safety remains at utmost risk. Médecins Sans Frontières highlights severe medical challenges amidst political turmoil, urging both immediate protection for civilians and for medical operations to continue without interference.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
