Dozens of civilians have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced in Sudan’s Gezira state, according to reports from aid organizations. This situation arises amidst escalating attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been embroiled in a protracted conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for over a year.
Reports from medical unions and youth groups indicate a series of assaults on villages and towns throughout the eastern-central state of Gezira. These offenses have involved widespread acts of looting and vandalism against both public and private properties, leading to significant civilian casualties. Recent updates reveal that an alarming 50 people were killed in a single day in the village of al-Sireha alone, an area that has become emblematic of the violence that has beset the region.
As the conflict intensified, a network of local activists reported that a Friday assault resulted in at least 50 fatalities, while the Sudan News website estimated that total casualties might reach as high as 124, with more than 200 individuals injured. This escalating violence, which erupted on April 15, 2023, stems from a power struggle between RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The UN has characterized the ongoing conflict as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with over 10 million people displaced.
In a development connected to recent developments, Sudanese politician Amgad Faried noted that the rise in RSF attacks correlates with the defection of a key RSF commander, Abuagla Keikal, a former army officer. Since Keikal’s switch in allegiance on October 20, the RSF has intensified its military operations in the east Gezira region, where he is originally from.
In addition to the violence in al-Sireha, further reports emerged from the village of Saqiaah, where an additional 12 civilians were reportedly killed. Eyewitness accounts indicate that rescue efforts have been severely hampered by ongoing bombardments and sniper fire from RSF forces, making it perilous for rescuers and villagers to reach the injured.
The Sudan Doctors Union described eastern Gezira as having transformed into “a brutal war zone,” underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. UNICEF’s deputy head, Ted Chaiban, emphasized the necessity for increased global attention to this “forgotten crisis,” highlighting that over 25.6 million people—more than half of Sudan’s population—are anticipated to face acute hunger this year due to the conflict’s repercussions.
As the situation continues to evolve, calls from organizations like UNICEF and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid grow ever more pressing, aimed at alleviating the suffering of those caught in this tumultuous landscape. The international community and humanitarian organizations are urged to respond to what has become a severe humanitarian and displacement crisis in Sudan.
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