Bodies pulled from a well in Sharg Elnil, Sudan, indicate potential killings linked to the paramilitary RSF. Victims displayed signs of violent death, inciting fear within the local population during RSF control. The Sudanese army reports finding widespread evidence of killings in territories previously held by the RSF, while accusations of abuses are exchanged between the groups.
In Sharg Elnil, Sudan, bodies retrieved from a well have raised suspicions of killings linked to the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recently recaptured by the Sudanese army, this area suffered two years of RSF control. Volunteers from the Red Crescent, wearing protective suits, discovered victims, many shot in the head, suggesting some may have been alive when disposed of.
Additional bodies were found scattered in the region, some tied up, indicating violent deaths that local forensic experts are documenting. Director of forensic medicine for Khartoum state, Hisham Zain al-Abdin, stated, “A lot of things happened here, and horrific scenes.” The ongoing civil conflict since April 2023 has intensified allegations of atrocities committed during the RSF’s occupation.
The Sudanese authorities are uncovering disturbing evidence in areas once governed by the RSF. However, the RSF has denied the claims and stated they intend to hold individual offenders accountable, while accusing government forces of similar abuses.
Local residents shared their fear during the RSF occupation, describing how they were deterred from burying the deceased due to threats from armed individuals in the area. Hussein al-Faki, a resident who alerted authorities, recounted the terrifying conditions: “If you got closer, they would shoot you. They scared us, so we ran away and left them.”
This situation underscores the violence and fear prevalent in regions affected by the ongoing civil war in Sudan, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and support for affected populations.
The killings in Sharg Elnil reflect the severe human rights violations occurring in Sudan as government forces regain control from the RSF. The discovery of bodies in various states of death signifies the brutality of the civil war, raising concerns about the accountability of both the RSF and the military. The residents’ experiences further illustrate the oppressive conditions surrounding the conflict, necessitating immediate humanitarian attention and investigation.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
