The RSF has intensified attacks on Zamzam camp in North Darfur. Governor Minawi has called for those with arms to protect the displaced. MSF has pleaded for civilian safety and unhindered medical access amidst ongoing violence. Eyewitness reports describe horrific conditions, and the displacement of many residents continues.
On February 12, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified its assault on the Zamzam camp for displaced persons located in North Darfur. This escalation prompted Minni Arko Minawi, the governor of the Darfur region, to urge those able to wield arms to defend the vulnerable displaced population. In light of these violent encounters, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) issued a call for safe passage for trapped civilians caught in the ongoing conflict.
The RSF initiated its latest violent attack on Zamzam camp on the preceding Tuesday, where substantial human rights abuses were reported. Numerous civilians suffered, the main market was set ablaze, and vehicles belonging to the displaced were looted. Fortunately, the military and the Joint Force managed to repel the assaults, but not without significant suffering and casualties among the displaced.
In a Facebook post, Governor Minawi appealed for immediate action from those capable of bearing arms, stating the necessity to safeguard displaced people from the violence perpetrated by the RSF militia. His remarks coincided with a sustained offensive by the RSF and allied Arab tribal forces on the Zamzam camp, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread fear among the residents.
Eyewitness accounts from El Fasher described incessant explosions and rampant fires across the camp, inciting mass displacement among residents who fled on foot, many with serious gunshot wounds. The Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees condemned the RSF’s actions as a massacre, describing the camp streets as filled with blood and body parts, amidst extreme terror, hunger, and hopelessness among women and children.
In response to the violence, the spokesperson for the Coordination, Adam Regal, labeled the attacks as war crimes that blatantly contravene international laws. He urged the international community to act swiftly to safeguard the displaced population and initiate sanctions against the perpetrators responsible for these atrocities. Furthermore, he appealed for humanitarian organizations to highlight these incidents and facilitate aid delivery.
Displaced individuals expressed grave concerns regarding the potential for ethnic cleansing or genocide by the RSF should they gain control of the camp, likening the situation to prior atrocities in West Darfur city. Last December, the RSF had targeted the camp with shelling, claiming to be countering the joint force’s presence within the facility, a claim vehemently denied by the joint force.
MSF has urgently called upon all warring factions in Sudan to ensure the safety of civilians and the protection of medical personnel amid the escalating violence in Zamzam camp. “We are worried for the safety of civilians and our MSF colleagues in Zamzam,” the organization emphasized. With their hospital overwhelmed with patients, they reiterated the need for trauma surgery capabilities and unimpeded access to health care facilities, which are currently obstructed by fierce clashes.
MSF has stressed the critical necessity to guarantee safe evacuation of civilians and to provide protection for medical staff and facilities. The organization called upon all engaged parties to facilitate civilian escape from the camp and ensure the safety of medical operations in the state of unrest.
In summary, the situation in Zamzam camp remains dire as the RSF’s renewed attacks exacerbate the crisis for displaced persons in North Darfur. Governor Minawi’s call for armed defense underlines the urgency of protection for vulnerable populations, while MSF’s pleas for safe humanitarian access reflect the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians and healthcare services. Immediate international intervention is essential to prevent further atrocities and safeguard the displaced.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
