The Sudanese civil war, now entering its 20th month, has witnessed a sharp escalation as fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensifies in Sudan. In just two days, more than 200 civilians have been killed, marking one of the deadliest periods in the conflict’s recent history. The violence has been particularly severe in North Darfur and Greater Khartoum, leaving families devastated and communities in ruins.
Devastating Airstrike on Kabkabiya Market
On Monday, an airstrike hit a crowded market in Kabkabiya, a town west of North Darfur’s capital, El-Fasher. The attack, described as one of the deadliest in the area, killed over 100 people and left hundreds injured, including women and children, according to the rights group Emergency Lawyers. The RSF has surrounded the town, leading to intensified hostilities.
While the Sudanese army denied responsibility for the attack, it justified targeting locations used by the RSF for military purposes. No immediate response was given by the RSF regarding the incident.
Deadly Shelling in Omdurman
On Tuesday, RSF forces launched heavy artillery strikes on Omdurman, part of the greater Khartoum area across the Nile. Among the casualties was a tragic incident where a shell hit a passenger bus, killing 22 people on board. State-aligned Khartoum Governor Ahmed Othman Hamza condemned the attack as a “massacre” by “the terrorist militia.”
At Al-Nao Hospital, one of the last operational medical facilities in the region, medical sources reported receiving at least 15 victims from the bus attack and dozens more injured from other areas of Omdurman. The deteriorating healthcare system, exacerbated by the conflict, is struggling to handle the influx of casualties.
Zamzam Displacement Camp Targeted
The violence extended to famine-stricken areas, with RSF shelling hitting the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur on Tuesday. Five people lost their lives in the attack, according to the Darfur General Coordination of Camps for the Displaced and Refugees.
In North Kordofan state, six civilians were killed when a previously crashed drone exploded on November 26, adding to the growing list of tragedies.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The conflict, which began in April 2023 as a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF during a planned transition to civilian rule, has had devastating consequences. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, and over 11 million people have been displaced, creating the world’s largest hunger crisis, according to the UN.
Daily crossings into South Sudan have tripled in recent weeks, with nearly 10,000 people fleeing Sudan each day. The healthcare system has been severely crippled, with up to 80% of health facilities in conflict zones either non-functional or barely operational.
War Crimes and Warnings
Both sides have been accused of committing abuses that may amount to war crimes, including attacks on civilians. A UN fact-finding mission in September highlighted the widespread violations, yet accountability remains elusive.
As the violence worsens, international bodies and human rights groups are urging immediate action to protect civilians and restore stability. However, with no signs of a ceasefire, Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe continues to escalate.
This latest surge of violence underscores the urgent need for diplomatic intervention to halt the bloodshed and address the ongoing suffering of Sudan’s population.
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