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2,000 Sudanese Killed, Two and a Half Million Displaced, in Two Months of Continued Civil War

June 21, 2023

 

People fleeing conflict in Sudan wait at a bus station in Khartoum, June 9, 2023

Damaged building in Khartoum Reuters Sudan, June 2023

 

Smoke rises from fires in Khartoum on April 16, 2023

A view of a fire after a residential building was hit in the Lamab district during battles between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum on April 20, 202

 

Fighting resumes in Sudan’s capital as three-day cease-fire expires

Residents board a truck to take advantage of the ceasefire and flee brutal fighting in Khartoum, Sudan on June 19, 2023. (AP) Short Url

Arab News, 21 June 2023 REUTERS

Fighting reported in all three of the cities that make up the wider capital around the confluence of the Nile: Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman

Clashes broke out in several parts of Sudan’s capital on Wednesday as a 72-hour cease-fire — which saw several reports of violations — between rival military factions expired, witnesses said. Shortly before the truce ended at 6 a.m. fighting was reported in all three of the cities that make up the wider capital around the confluence of the Nile: Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman.

Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been battling each other for more than two months, wreaking destruction on the capital, triggering widespread violence in the western region of Darfur, and causing more than 2.5 million people to flee their homes. Witnesses said army aircraft could be heard early on Wednesday over Omdurman, as could anti-aircraft fire from the RSF, artillery fire from a base in north Omdurman, and ground fighting in southern Khartoum. The cease-fire was the latest of several truce deals brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States at talks in Jeddah.

As with previous cease-fires, there were reports of violations by both sides. Late on Monday, both factions blamed the other for a large fire at the intelligence headquarters, which is housed in a defense compound in central Khartoum that has been fought over since the fighting erupted on April 15. Saudi Arabia and the US said that if the warring factions failed to observe the ceasefire they would consider adjourning the Jeddah talks, which critics have questioned as ineffective. The conflict in Sudan erupted amid disputes over internationally backed plans for a transition away from military rule following a coup in 2021 and four years after long-ruling autocrat Omar Al-Bashir was ousted during a popular uprising.

Fighting resumes in Sudan’s capital as three-day cease-fire expires (arabnews.com)

Sudan war uproots 2.5 million, UN says, as bodies line Darfur streets

Arab News, 21 June 2023

Fighting has killed more than 2,000 people nationwide

KHARTOUM: Bodies have lined the streets in Sudan’s western Darfur region as the UN said Tuesday that more than two months of fighting have forced over 2.5 million people from their homes. A three-day cease-fire due to end Wednesday at dawn brought a brief respite to the capital Khartoum, gripped by the war that erupted on April 15 between two rival generals. The fighting has killed more than 2,000 people nationwide, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project said. According to the United States State Department, up to 1,100 have been killed in the city of El Geneina alone, the capital of West Darfur state in a region wracked by some of the bloodiest violence.

The UN has spoken of possible “crimes against humanity” in Darfur, where the conflict has “taken an ethnic dimension,” the world body said in a statement with the African Union and east African regional bloc IGAD. Bodies have remained on the streets of El Geneina, where months of unrest have left shops either vacant or gutted by looters. One lay covered on the asphalt, in front of an armored vehicle.

A dead man was partially curled up outside a house. Several others appeared to be lying face down together on a dirt road. Residents have fled the city en masse, many grabbing whatever they could to flee to the border with Chad. Some described being shot at by fighters and subject to searches during the perilous journey. The conflict sees the army, led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, battle the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has attributed the West Darfur “atrocities” primarily to the RSF, and the UN’s Sudan mission chief, Volker Perthes, referred to reports of attacks “allegedly committed by Arab militias and some armed men” in RSF uniform. In a social media video Tuesday, Daglo denounced “a tribal conflict” in El Geneina. “Almost 900 wounded and 15,000 Sudanese refugees from West Darfur’s capital and its surroundings have reached the Chadian town of Adre in the last four days,” the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity said on Monday.

At least 150,000 people have fled Darfur into Chad since the start of fighting, according to the UN. The number of people uprooted from their homes by the conflict has topped 2.5 million, including about 550,000 who have fled abroad, according to the International Organization for Migration. Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN’s refugee agency, on Tuesday urged Sudan’s neighbors to keep their borders open despite security worries.

“My appeal to all the neighboring countries is to say I understand your security concerns, but please keep your borders open because these people are really fleeing for their lives,” he told AFP in an interview. Donors gathered Monday at a conference in Geneva where they pledged almost $1.5 billion — only half of the estimated needs to combat the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and help its neighbors host those fleeing the fighting. More than half of Sudan’s population, 25 million, require aid, the UN says.

“The humanitarian needs have reached record levels in Sudan and there is still no sign of an end to the conflict,” said Eddie Rowe, the World Food Programme’s Sudan director. Alexander Kjaerum of the Danish Refugee Council described as “absolutely shameful” the funding levels for the conflict, comparing it to the outpouring of support received at the start of the war in Ukraine. The latest in a series of truces that have all been systematically violated began Sunday and is due to end at 6:00 am (0400 GMT) Wednesday.

Although it brought a relative respite, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday said it was “not respected.” An operation it carried out to transfer wounded soldiers to a hospital “had to be aborted after gunshots sounded in the immediate proximity of our convoy,” the agency said. UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday warned that “the scale and speed of Sudan’s descent into death and destruction is unprecedented.” “Without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region,” he said.

Sudan war uproots 2.5 million, UN says, as bodies line Darfur streets (arabnews.com)

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Fragile calm in Khartoum as ceasefire takes effect

Sudan Tribune, June 18, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

 A sense of cautious calm settled over Khartoum as a three-day ceasefire agreement came into effect on Sunday morning, signaling a temporary respite from the recent wave of violence.

Following the expiration of a one-day truce, clashes reignited between the army and the Rapid Support Forces last Sunday.

Eyewitnesses confirmed to Sudan Tribune that a noticeable shift in the capital was evident. The familiar sound of warplanes roaring above the capital’s skies was absent, while the relentless artillery bombardment ceased for the first time in a week.

As the ceasefire holds precariously, residents of Khartoum remain cautiously optimistic, hoping for an extended period of stability and peace.

There are concerns that the army and the RSF could exploit the ceasefire agreement to mobilize additional troops and provide them with military equipment, suggesting that future battles may escalate in intensity compared to previous clashes.

Significant portions of houses and buildings in Khartoum occupied by the RSF, continue to serve as barracks for their soldiers, hosting snipers and ground-based anti-aircraft weaponry.

Since April 15, violent confrontations between the army and the RSF displaced about 2.2 million individuals, including one million children. The precise number of casualties, both fatalities and injuries, remains unknown at this time despite several estimations.

Sudan rival leaders accept unconditional ceasefire talk : South Sudanese official

Sudan Tribune, On Sunday, June 18, 2023 (JUBA) –

South Sudan announced that the rival leaders in the Sudan conflict have agreed to engage in unconditional ceasefire talks.

According to South Sudan’s presidential adviser, President Salva Kiir, due to his direct contacts and strong personal relationships with Sudanese leaders, has diligently advocated for an end to hostilities and peaceful dialogue in Sudan.

“The conflict in Sudan is not in the interest of anybody, and this is why President Kiir has been engaging with his Sudanese rivals to heed the calls from the region and the international community to cease hostilities and pave the way for peaceful negotiations,” said Tut Gatluak Manime.

Manime further revealed that President Kiir had a conversation with the chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan on Friday, during which they discussed plans “to handle the situation peacefully, bring an end to the military confrontation, facilitate access for humanitarian organizations to provide relief assistance, and ensure the stability of a unified and peaceful Sudan.”

He highlighted that President Kiir emphasized to Abdel Fattah al-Burhan the importance of the ceasefire to halt the destruction of lives and infrastructure.

Also, Kiir drew attention to the urgent need to improve the security situation, as many people in Khartoum are currently confined to their homes and unable to access essential services and basic needs.

In a meeting held on June 12, the IGAD heads of state and government decided to hold a face-to-face meeting between al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Focrs (RSF) leader, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, within ten days.

The meeting that the Quartet leaders would attend aims to establish a humanitarian corridor within two weeks and initiate an inclusive political process within three weeks.

But the military-led government rejected the Kenyan chairmanship of the IGAD mechanism to end the Sudanese conflict.  This rejection may lead to paralysing the internationally backed regional initiative.

Nonetheless, Nairobi sticks to playing a prominent role in the Sudanese crisis.

Despite multiple declarations of a ceasefire by both sides, the fighting has persisted. However, in separate statements issued Saturday evening, the two rivals pledged to respect the ceasefire brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The warring parties observed the truce; no major violations were reported until Sunday evening.

American, Saudi mediators announce new ceasefire agreement in Sudan

Sudan Tribune, June 17, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

American and Saudi mediators Saturday announced a new three-day ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Set to take effect on June 18 at 6:00 a.m. Khartoum time, the agreement will last for a period of 72 hours until June 21.

The mediators emphasized the importance of addressing the suffering endured by the Sudanese people and urged the parties to fully commit to the ceasefire, thereby curbing the severity of the violence.

As part of the agreement, the SAF and RSF have agreed to various measures during the ceasefire period. These include refraining from prohibited movements, attacks, using military aircraft or drones, artillery strikes, reinforcement of positions, and resupply of forces. The parties have also pledged to avoid seeking any military advantage throughout the ceasefire.

One crucial aspect of the agreement is the commitment to allowing the unimpeded movement and delivery of humanitarian assistance across Sudan. Recognizing the urgent need for aid, the mediators emphasized the significance of ensuring that humanitarian groups can reach those in need without obstruction.

The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming humanitarian donor conference scheduled for June 19.

The facilitators, underscoring the pressing humanitarian situation in Sudan, called on the parties to genuinely consider the immense suffering endured by the Sudanese people. They emphasized the necessity of strict adherence to the ceasefire agreement and urged an end to the violence.

In the event that either party fails to observe the 72-hour ceasefire, the mediators have stated that they will be compelled to consider adjourning the ongoing talks in Jeddah. The announcement serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which the mediators view compliance with the agreed-upon terms.

The new ceasefire agreement holds great promise for the people of Sudan, offering a window of respite from the conflict and creating an opportunity for humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need.

American, Saudi mediators announce new ceasefire agreement in Sudan - Sudan Tribune

Sudanese general calls for evacuation as army targets militias in residential areas

Sudan Tribune, June 16, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

General Yasir Al-Atta, a member of the Sovereign Council, called on civilians in Khartoum to evacuate houses near those occupied by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), stating that the army would strike the rebellion everywhere.

When the conflict broke out on April 15, the Sudanese army destroyed all RSF bases in Khartoum state while the militias took over homes in residential areas to shield themselves from airstrikes.

However, the army gradually started shelling positions occupied by the RSF, eventually targeting residential areas. In recent weeks, the army deployed additional infantry troops, engaging in street battles within residential neighborhoods, resulting in more civilians being displaced from the capital.

Addressing Sudanese army forces at an undisclosed location, Lt Gen al-Atta announced their decision to pursue the militias anywhere and urged the remaining residents of Khartoum to leave.

“I advise the civilians that if the RSF elements occupy your house and you are forced out, the neighbors, in turn, should evacuate the houses adjacent to this house because from now on, we will attack them anywhere.”

“When the battle is limited to the army, the troops do their duty, and the nation stands behind them. But now the battle is a battle of a nation; it is the battle of a people involving the entire Sudanese nation with its military, civil, and political forces.”

He further said that while there may be “some rot and dirt” among the political forces, individuals of integrity are also among them. Regarding the media, although a few may engage in questionable practices, the majority uphold honorable and noble standards.

After over two months of conflict, the violence has displaced approximately 1.7 million individuals, including men, women, and children.

Excluding any negotiated settlement for the conflict with the RSF, Al-Atta informed his troops that only ammunition would be the language of communication between the army and the “rebels.”

He mentioned that some heads of state expressed their reluctance to label the RSF as rebels because they want to mediate between the two sides.

Sudanese general calls for evacuation as army targets militias in residential areas - Sudan Tribune

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Hemedti in a recorded statement: Intensive contacts to calm situation in Darfur 

Al-Taghyeer, June 20, 2023

In a new audio recording, Commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemedti’ said intensive contacts were underway to calm the situation in Al Ginaina capital of West Darfur and uncover the circumstances in which the Governor of West Darfur was killed.

Khartoum: Al Taghyeer

Hemedti said they have formed a fact finding committee to head immediately to Al Ginaina town to investigate the assassination of West Darfur Governor and they are ready to cooperate with any independent investigation body on this issue.

Hemedti’s voice recorded statement came at a time Sudanese people have been circulating reports for more than a month that he was killed during one of the battles with the army. Some of these reports state that artificial intelligence has been in the use for faking his audio recordings.

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday, that minister Faisal bin Farhan made separate phone calls with the Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdul Fatah Al Burhan and with the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemedti’. The minister discussed with the two commanders the situation in the Sudan.

Hemedti said in the audio recording “we have reports about the army intelligence having provided some parties in West Darfur with weapons to encourage fighting among the people”.

He said they have evidences that the army was carrying out recruitment among Darfur tribesmen with the aim of instigating a tribal war in the region.

Hemedti said the fighting between his troops and the army will result in the establishment of a democratic civilian rule in the country.

Hemedti in a recorded statement: Intensive contacts to calm situation in Darfur  - Altaghyeer NewsPaper

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Sudan: top UN official demands cessation of violence and rape against civilians by security forces

UN News, 13 June 2019

Following recent reports of attacks and rape by security forces and paramilitaries against the pro-democracy protesters in Sudan who have been holding a sit-in outside army headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, expressed “grave concern” on Thursday and called for an “immediate and complete” end to the violence.

According to her Office, despite restrictions on communications in Sudan, reports of serious human rights violations have emerged since the beginning of the month.

These include reported rapes and gang rapes of protesters, women’s human rights defenders and women medical personnel working in hospitals near the sit-in perpetrated by the “Rapid Support Forces” or RSF – a paramilitary group run by the Sudanese Government, primarily composed of the Janjaweed, a party to the Darfur conflict – and other militias.

“I demand the immediate and complete cessation of all violence against civilians including sexual violence,” stated Special Representative Patten, noting that the RSF have consistently been listed in the UN Secretary-General’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence.

“[They] should take effective measures to prevent and punish sexual violence in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2467,” she added.

After the three-decade autocratic rule of President Omar al-Bashir ended in a military takeover in April, talks faltered in May between protesters and the ruling Transitional Military Council over a timetable for civilian rule.

On 3 June, security forces and paramilitaries fired on pro-democracy protesters holding a sit-in outside army headquarters in the capital Khartoum, leaving a number of people dead and many more injured. Three days later, the African Union suspended the participation of Sudan in all its activities until the effective establishment of a civilian-led transitional authority.

Pending verification of the alleged incidents by relevant UN bodies, Ms. Patten highlighted the fact that “the weakness of the rule of law and a general climate of impunity” is further compounding a highly-volatile context.

“I urge the prompt investigation of all credible allegations of sexual violence and accountability for those responsible,” said the Special Representative, adding that she strongly supports the rapid deployment of a United Nations human rights monitoring team to examine the situation on the ground.

She also called upon the international community, including members of the UN Security Council, to use “all possible diplomatic channels with leaders of Sudan to pave the way for a swift transition to a civilian administration and an end to all forms of violence and intimidation against civilians”.

On Tuesday, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), sounded the alarm over the killing and injuring of dozens of minors in the protests backlash.

Accountability in Sudan ‘crucial’ to avoid ‘further bloodshed’, says UN rights office | UN News

***

Sudan crisis still having devastating impact on civilians: UN rights office

UNDP Sudan   People fleeing conflict in Sudan wait at a bus station in Khartoum.

UN News, 9 June 2023

Warring parties in Sudan must do more to protect civilians caught up in the conflict, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday, in response to recent deadly attacks and ongoing violations. 

“We are concerned by the continued devastating impact of the fighting in Sudan on civilians,” Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva. 

Tweet URL

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and military rival, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been locked in vicious clashes since mid-April.  

Hundreds have been killed and some 1.2 million have been displaced. UN agencies and partners have repeatedly warned of the growing humanitarian crisis. 

Deadly airstrikes in Khartoum 

Mr. Laurence said at least eight people died in an air strike on a busy livestock market in the capital, Khartoum, on Wednesday, allegedly carried out by the SAF.  At least three of the victims were from the same family.  

A child was reportedly killed in a separate incident that day after a shell struck his home in the Al-Shajraa district, in southern Khartoum. 

Refugee and orphan deaths 

OHCHR has also received reports of the killings of four other civilians in the capital on Monday, while at least three people from the same family, including a pregnant woman, were reportedly killed on Sunday. 

Airstrikes that day near the Sport Complex in southern Khartoum, hit a refugee centre, reportedly killing at least 10 refugees. Furthermore, no fewer than 71 children have died at an orphanage in Khartoum since the fighting started due to lack of humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies. 

Sexual violence, online hate 

Mr. Laurence said OHCHR is also concerned by reports of conflict-related sexual violence. 

“Since the fighting began, our Office has received credible reports of 12 incidents of sexual violence related to the conflict, against at least 37 women - although the number could be higher. In at least three incidents, the victims were young girls. In one case, 18 to 20 women were reportedly raped,” he said. 

Growing reports of apparent enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention are another concern, he added, and journalists are also now at greater risk amid a rise in online hate speech and disinformation.  

OHCHR has learnt of a list circulating on social media accusing certain journalists of being RSF supporters.  Staff have also seen comments on Facebook calling for the killing of those on the list. 

Appeal for accountability 

“We reiterate the High Commissioner’s call on both parties to the fighting to ensure protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” he said.  

“They must also ensure all violations are effectively and independently investigated and those responsible are held accountable.” 

 

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As the crisis in Sudan enters its second month, UN agencies and partners warned on Friday that the conflict between rival military groups since mid-April is fuelling an increasingly “desperate” situation for civilians, especially in the nation’s capital.

Sudan crisis still having devastating impact on civilians: UN rights office | UN News 

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Dar Masalit Sultanate: massacres in Al Ginaina, from April 24 to June 12, 2023

Al-Taghyeer, June 20, 2023

The Sultanate of Dar Masalit published a report that provided statistics on the number of victims and losses to infrastructure in the State of West Darfu Al Ginaina, during the period from April 24 to June 12, and Altaghyeer newspaper indicates that all the information contained in the report belongs to the authority that issued it.

Full text of the report:

Date: 18 June 2023

SOURCE of the Arabic origin of the report (Al Taghyeer newspaper, Khartoum, Sudan):

By Dar Masalit Sultanate

A report on the massacres in Al-Ginaina, from April 24 to June 12, 2023:

From April to June 2023, the Sultanate of Dar Masalit witnessed a series of systematic and bloody attacks launched by the Rapid Support Forces – the Janjaweed militia, which aimed at genocide and ethnic cleansing in a racist manner against African civilians.

This report explains in detail the victims of these massacres, in terms of the number of dead and wounded, and the destruction of infrastructure, especially in the health sector. Indeed, all units of Al Ginaina Teaching Hospital were destroyed, and the rotating medicine stores and pharmacies were looted. Some medicines were burned inside the stores. All these methods greatly affected the treatment process for the wounded and patients of all different diseases, burning homes, destroying water and production sources, as well as the siege imposed on the city of Al Ginaina and its localities and all the roads linking it to other regions and the state of Central Darfur and the road linking the city of Al Ginaina to the Chadian city of Adre.

The events of the city of Al Ginaina erupted on the morning of Monday, April 24, 2023, when the Rapid Support militia ambushed a force belonging to the army, who were on their way to the headquarters of the Sudanese-Chadian joint forces in the western side of the city of Al Ginaina near the University of Al Ginaina, and shortly after the withdrawal of the armed forces from the site of the event, the Janjaweed militia and the Rapid Support Forces launched a violent attack on the residents of Al-Jabal neighborhoods, Camp Abuther, in a bloody manner, which resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. During the first and second Krinding events and the first, second and third mountain events, they took refugein government institutions as shelters for them, and they were all burned and dozens of civilians were killed and hundreds wounded.

On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, the Janjaweed militia of the Rapid Support Forces stormed the grand market of the city of Al Ginaina, and it was completely looted, and the looted goods were transported out of the state. Due to the great destruction that occurred in the market, the city of Al Ginaina became devoid of food commodities, which led to almost famine.

In the third attack of the Rapid Support Forces and the Janjaweed militia, which took place on Thursday, April 27, 2023, a group of neighborhoods in the city of Al Ginaina (Al-Jabal, Al-Tadamon, Al-Thawra, Al-Buhaira, Al-Zuhur, Al-Madaris, Al-Majlis and Al-Mansoura) were attacked, and in this attack more than hundreds of citizens were killed and hundreds of wounded were burned. The remaining number of shelters for the displaced and the continuous targeting of citizens on the roads by snipers from the high areas, and the city has become completely besieged. The month of May witnessed the most violent attacks, crimes against humanity and genocide. On Friday, corresponding to May 12, 2023, the Rapid Support Forces and the Janjaweed militia attacked the same areas mentioned in the previous attack from all directions, including the schools’ neighborhoods, the Hashab forests, and the Qalani displaced camp in the northwestern part of the city. The armed forces did not intervene to protect civilians and remained stationed in the 15th Infantry Division. On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the Ghabat al-Hashab neighborhoods adjacent to al-Mansoura neighborhood were subjected to a violent attack by the Janjaweed militia, backed by the Rapid Support Forces, in which a large number of civilians were killed and dozens wounded, with property looted and homes burned.

The attack continued on Sunday, May 14, 2023, as the Rapid Support Forces militia targeted shelters and neighborhoods with heavy Katyusha artillery, artillery 82, 120, 60-75, ground anti-aircraft guns known as dual and quadruple, in addition to B10 artillery, RPG and launcher) most areas of the city of Al Ginaina, including Neighborhoods (Customs, Al-Buhaira, Al-Thawra, Al-Tadamon, Al-Madras, AlMansoura, Al-Ghabat, Al-Majlis, Al-Zahra University Boarding Center, Al-Zahraa University Boarding Center, Al-Qademah School, and Al-Jabal with all its squares). In this attack, more than a hundred civilians were killed, including children, women, and the elderly.

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, the rebel Rapid Support Forces attacked the Customs neighborhood, and the Ministry of Agriculture shelter for the displaced was completely burned. A large number of the displaced were killed and dozens were wounded. Only two days after this attack, the Rapid Support Forces and the Janjaweed militia renewed their attack on Al-Jabal neighborhood Square 5, and on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the Zahra Interior Ministry fired artillery (82, 60-75 and RPG), and dozens of people were killed and wounded.

And with the deterioration of all the vital sectors represented in the (security, health and humanitarian) sectors, the attacks of the Rapid Support Forces Janjaweed militia continued on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in the neighborhoods of (Al-Jusrok, Al-Jabal Squares 2 and 5, Al-Thawra, Al-Tadamon, Al-Buhaira and Al-Zuhur) and all forms of crimes against Humanity, genocide, and entire families being taken to unknown places with the deaths and injuries, and on the next day, June 8, 2023, the Rapid Support Forces fired a number of RPGs and an 82-gun that fell in IDPs shelters, killing a number of children and women. On the morning of Friday, June 9, 2023, the customs neighborhood, Al-Jabal Square 5,2 and AlThawra were attacked by the militia. Where a great massacre took place on the citizens of Al-Thawra, Al-Tadamon, and Al-Zuhur neighborhoods, with a complete siege, and there are a number of families, none of whom survived, and there are still bodies lying on the roads in the houses; Citizens have not been able to move around to this day.

On Sunday and Monday, May 28 and 29, 2023, the attacks of the Janjaweed militia and the Rapid Support Forces extended in the Misteri area, which is located 42 km southwest of the city of Al Ginaina, which resulted in the killing of dozens and hundreds of wounded and the complete displacement of the population of the region to the state of Chad. On June 12, 2023, the Rapid Support Forces militia and the Janjaweed fired more than 36 shells from cannons (82, 75-60, 12-barreled launchers) in the customs and schools’ neighborhoods, which are the most crowded places for the displaced, killing 20 people and wounding no less than 45 people. On June 14, 2023, the customs, schools, and Mansoura neighborhoods were subjected to a violent attack by the Janjaweed and Rapid Support Forces militia, which led to the death of hundreds and a large number of wounded. The militias also stormed clinics that provide emergency services to the wounded, which resulted in the death of dozens who were receiving treatment. These violations continued and did not spare all the neighborhoods of the city of Al Ginaina from killing, looting, rape, kidnapping and enforced disappearance.

In a related context, the West Darfur State Governor, General Khamis Abdullah Abbakar, was on an official visit to the leaders of the Central Reserve Forces for the purpose of coordinating the evacuation of the wounded, but he was betrayed and handed over by the Central Reserve Command to the Rapid Support Forces, which in turn liquidated the General and his guards and mutilated their bodies. On June 15, 2023, after the attacks and siege intensified on all the neighborhoods of Al Ginaina, part of the civilians gathered in the Al-Hashab forests near AlMansoura neighborhood with the aim of seeking refuge in the state of Chad in search of safety to protect their lives, but they were brutally attacked by the Rapid Support Forces militia and their Janjaweed, and they were killed, wounded, and their property robbed. However, the Central Reserve Police forces were also involved in assaulting people who tried to flee by looting their property and causing serious harm. The Janjaweed militia stopped the fleeing women carrying children and forced them to take the children down and sort them on the basis of gender and then eliminated the males among them.

While their attacks did not stop on the people who tried to flee from Al Ginaina to Chad, where they were subjected to the worst types of crimes against humanity, including killing, ethnic cleansing, wounding and looting of property, and destroying some of the food they were carrying with them. Thousands of corpses and wounded are lying on the internal roads and houses in Al Ginaina, in addition to the road linking Al Ginaina to the city of Adra in Chad.

It is worth noting that the neighborhoods of Al-Jabal Squares (1,3,6), Umm Duwayn, Al-Naseem, Donkey 13, the Prince’s Team, the West Restoration Path, the village of Jikri, Jerbi, and Arbukni (Umm Qara) are considered the main strongholds of the Rapid Support Forces militia, and all the looted items were transferred to them. Noting that the Rapid Support militia is systematically attacking selectively (targeting African ethnicities) in the neighborhoods of AlShati, Al-Imtidad, Al-Salam, Al-Nahda, Al-Riyadh, Al-Kifah and Umm Dwayne; This led to the displacement of the targeted families to the Al-Madares neighborhood and Ardamta in search of the safety of their lives, and in this horrific situation, the city of Al-Ginaina became one of the affected areas and the hottest spots in Sudan and the region.

Due to the deterioration of the security situation in the city of Al Ginaina, with the widespread deployment of snipers on rooftops and high places from all directions, and with the joining of the Central Reserve Forces to the ranks of the Rapid Support Forces militia, the citizens of the city of Al Ginaina are facing an unknown fate in terms of loss of security, shelter, food and health treatment. Among the results of this catastrophic situation – As a result of complete lack of security and the absence of state sovereignty, more than 5,000 people were killed and at least 8,000 injured. – Hundreds of thousands of civilians fled to the Chadian border on foot. – Burning and destroying all (86) shelters for the displaced. – Burning and completely destroying the camps of the displaced: Abu Dhar, the city of pilgrims, Krinding, and the camp of Qalani. – Looting and burning the palace of the Sultanate of Dar Masalit and killing Prince Abd al-Rahman Bahr al-Din (Abu Tariq), the elder brother of the Sultan of Dar Masalit. – Burning neighborhoods (Mountain Square, blocks 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, Al-Thawra neighborhood, Al-Tadamon, Buhaira, Al-Zuhour, Al-Majlis, Hay AlMadares, Dar Al-Naim, Donkey 13, Al-Nahda, Mansoura, and Ghabat Al-Hashab , and the future). – Burning villages and cities (Moli, Goker, Hashaba, Mastra, Tindelti, Habilakanari and Nujar). – Running out of food. – Destruction of water sources. – The lack of life-saving medicines and the cessation of surgeries. –The residents of the regions of Al Ginaina, Tendelti, Anjemi, Negro, Milibda, Misteri, Tirtaba, Kango, Haraza, Beida, part of the population of Habila, Qebbi, For Baranga, Adikong, Magmara, Habila Canary, all became refugees. – Siege of the locality of Sirba Karnik Habila Fora Baranga. – Entire Fore Baranga market was looted. – Burning about 1,000 houses in Fora Baranga – Death of most people with chronic diseases, especially patients with kidney failure. Because of the destruction of the dialysis center at Al Ginaina Teaching Hospital. – The emergence of epidemic diseases such as measles, watery diarrhea and malnutrition, due to overcrowding and pregnancy abortions; Because of the cannonballs. – Cutting off and destroying communication networks by the Rapid Support militia to obscure his crimes. – Targeting social, civil and political figures and intellectuals such as imams of mosques, leaders of the native administration, lawyers, university professors, and doctors, and some of them were systematically liquidated. – Looting all the headquarters of international and national organizations in the city of Al Ginaina. – Destruction of the infrastructure of official state institutions (Al-Ginaina Teaching Hospital, Sultan Medical Complex, Presidency of the Judiciary, Presidency of Police, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Finance, Livestock, Health, Government Secretariat, Customs Administration and all banks) – Looting, vandalism and burning of Al Ginaina market Recommendations:

1- Urgent and immediate international intervention to protect civilians from acts of violence. 2- Relief for the afflicted by providing foodstuffs, shelters and medicines. 3- Evacuating the wounded to a safe place for treatment. 4- Provide protection for the removal of the dead bodies and their burial. 5- Bringing the leaders of the Rapid Support militia, headed by Major General Abdul Rahman Juma, may God bless him, and the Janjaweed to justice 6- Presenting the leaders of the Central Reserve to international justice. 7- Placing the Sultanate of Dar Masalit under international trusteeship. Date: 18 June 2023

Dar Masalit Sultanate: massacres in Al Ginaina, from April 24 to June 12, 2023 - Altaghyeer NewsPaper


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