As many as 100 casualties perished on July 7 due to an airstrike on a market in Sudan’s El Fasher City, which is within the boundaries of North Darfur, and is already reeling from several humanitarian crises. Several consequences have plagued the region, such as political and economic disruption as a result of the terror inflicted by the Russian Wagner Group’s Paramilitary Fighters. In an attempt to overcome The Rapid Support Forces, the Sudanese Army has set to attack outlying forces which has harmed many non-combatants.
The Crippling Airstrike
On May 15, during a chaotic time in El Fasher, civilians were caught in prolonged crossfire, bombarded by artillery and settled for a patch of land between the two parties. Civilian stores were depleted as a result of tribes set out during the fires, and during this time desperate civilians were in search of their necessities which led to bombardments.
Even though the precise number of casualties is still unknown, bold approximations claim that the violence led to over 200 deaths with countless injuries. The attack appears to have been executed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) as a part of their effort in combating the RAF’s recently gained territory. Despite this, Sudan’s military has declined the accusations of purposely attacking non-combatants, stating that their focus was on eliminating “enemy strongholds” in order to diminish the RSF’s influence over the region.
Military of Sudan and International Outrage and Humanitarian Issues
The violence has received widespread disapproval from international bodies including ~U.N.,~ Amnesty International, African Union, etc. Humanitarian organizations have accused the Sudanese military of striking a civilian target, labeling the aerial bombardment as a probable war offense. The United Nations has called for an independent inquiry into the attack while urging both conflicting parties to halt military actions in order to safeguard additional civilians.
The protracted struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated Sudan’s humanitarian situation as millions have been displaced and thousands have lost their lives. For instance, the violence in Darfur may be some of the worst as it bears similarities to genocide which took place in the early 2000’s. Humanitarian organizations are on high alert that if there are sustained attacks against the civilian population alongside blockades barring humanitarian aid, famine coupled with more violence may ensue.
Sudan’s Conflict Complications
The airstrike is part of a protracted struggle for dominance of the Sudanese military over the RSF that originated in April of 2023. Both sides have faced accusations of terrible crimes such as ethnic cleansing, and large scale violations of civil rights. Fighting spread throughout the nation with Darfur yet again emerging as a center of conflict.
In spite of attempts from foreign parties to initiate a ceasefire, dialogue aimed on finding a solution has been reported many times. Both sides continue contesting the capture of vital urban centers, wealth, and important hubs with civilians suffering immensely. The available information suggests that ethnic division further aggravates the conflict, while communities from Darfur bear the brunt of it.
Final Thoughts
Like other sad events of the Darfur conflict, the airstrike on the market profoundly affected the civilian population. At the same time, the strikes deepened international concern about Sudan and the conflicting parties’ willingness to bear the consequences of their priorities. This goes without saying that the conflict is multi-faceted and requires more than political reconciliation in order to be put to rest.