Sudanese paramilitaries have shelled a hospital in Omdurman, killing five, amidst escalating violence nationwide. The RSF has intensified attacks in Greater Khartoum during an ongoing power struggle with the army, resulting in severe humanitarian conditions, including famine. UN reports predict critical food insecurity affecting two million people in North Darfur. The conflict has causedmass displacement, marking it as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Sudanese paramilitaries shelled a hospital in Omdurman, resulting in five deaths, while ongoing violence escalates nationwide. The attack targeted Al-Nao Hospital, one of the few facilities still operational in the area, with both medical staff and volunteers amongst the casualties. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been clashing with the Sudanese army since April 2023, causing significant civilian casualties and widespread suffering.
As the conflict intensifies, Greater Khartoum has become a focal point for power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The fighting has killed tens of thousands and displaced over 12 million people, with recent army offensives aiming to gain control of central Sudan. Despite the RSF’s temporary retreat from certain regions, they continue to target Khartoum, leading to increased civilian bloodshed.
The army currently dominates eastern and northern Sudan, while the RSF controls most of Darfur, an area roughly the size of France. Airstrikes were reported in Nyala, South Darfur, aimed at dislodging RSF positions. Meanwhile, artillery attacks in El-Fasher, Northern Darfur, have raised concerns for local markets and civilians in displacement camps, exacerbating food insecurity.
According to UN estimates, around two million people in North Darfur face extreme food shortages, with 320,000 already in famine. Officials have condemned the use of starvation as a tactic of war in El-Fasher. Humanitarian coordinators describe ongoing assaults on civilians and displacement camps as a severe violation of human rights and an affront to human dignity.
In South Kordofan, 40 people died due to artillery fire attributed to rebel groups, with accusations exchanged between the army and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North regarding territorial conflicts. Overall, the conflict in Sudan has resulted in the largest displacement crisis globally, resulting in widespread humanitarian suffering affecting millions and damaging critical infrastructure.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has roots in political power struggles post-2019, leading to a complex humanitarian crisis. The RSF, formerly associated with the Janjaweed, is involved in violent skirmishes against the Sudanese army. As the violence escalated in 2023, urban areas like Greater Khartoum have witnessed severe impacts, with hospitals targeted and civilian casualties mounting. International humanitarian agencies have raised alarms, emphasizing the dire conditions in which millions now live.
In summary, continuous clashes between the Sudanese army and paramilitary groups have spiraled into widespread violence and humanitarian disaster across Sudan. Recent attacks on healthcare and rising food insecurity highlight the critical nature of the situation. As millions face displacement and starvation, urgent international intervention and humanitarian aid are imperative to address the escalating crisis and protect civilian lives.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
