More than 300 killed in Sudanese paramilitary attacks
More than 300 people have been killed in attacks by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on villages in eastern Al Jazirah state over the past 10 days, a rights group says.
The victims included “children, the elderly, and the sick,” the Sudanese rights group Middle Call said in a statement.
The RSF has attacked more than 100 villages around the city of Al Hilaliya in recent weeks, inflicting widespread devastation on communities.
“Besieged families are enduring a horrific massacre, losing their lives … before the eyes of the entire world, with no intervention to save them,” the Middle Call said.
“Entire families have been wiped out: mothers with their children, siblings, and spouses, leaving no survivors.”
Many people have reportedly died due to a lack of medical services, as residents have been under siege by the paramilitary forces for over two weeks.
Fighting erupted in April 2023, as a result of a power struggle between the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Since then, the conflict has displaced more than 10 million people, creating one of the worst global humanitarian crises, according to data from the United Nations.
Al Jazeera Conference civic organisation head Al Mubar Mahmud, told EFE the paramilitary forces are committing “genocide” in Al Hilaliya.
Mahmud said the RSF looted and destroyed local hospitals and over 10 pharmacies.
“Residents are living without electricity after RSF militants damaged the transformer and looted the solar panels that powered water wells,” he added.
Mahmud also reported cases of sexual violence during the siege, claiming the paramilitary forces had kidnapped an unspecified number of women.
The RSF has reportedly demanded $US500 ($A759) from people attempting to leave the besieged region.
Over 1000 people have died since the RSF launched a large-scale assault on more than 120 villages on October 20.
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