Rebel Attack in Sudan Leaves 150 Dead, Villagers Flee in Terror
At least 150 people were killed and 200 injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the village of Wad al-Nour, in Sudan’s Al-Jazira state, according to local officials and eyewitnesses. The attack is part of the ongoing conflict that has displaced more than 7 million people since April 2023.
At least 150 people were killed and 200 injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the village of Wad al-Nour, in Sudan’s Al-Jazira state, according to local officials and eyewitnesses. The attack is part of the ongoing conflict that has displaced more than 7 million people since April 2023.
Witnesses reported that the RSF fighters, arriving in over 40 armed vehicles, unleashed heavy weaponry on the village, targeting civilians, including women and children. The attack led to scenes of terror and mass casualties, with survivors burying over 120 bodies in a mass grave. Fighting continues nearby, causing further fear among the villagers.
Eyewitness Accounts and Casualty Reports
Footage shared on social media shows villagers preparing for burials, while other videos depict the RSF militia firing weapons toward the village. Although CNN has not independently verified the exact casualty figures, the scenes have drawn significant attention and condemnation.
The RSF stated that the attack was pre-emptive against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) camps in Wad al-Nour, claiming that it was in response to an impending SAF attack. They reported eight RSF fighters killed and several injured but did not acknowledge civilian casualties. Eyewitnesses, however, asserted that there was no military presence in the village, suggesting the attack targeted civilians.
Reactions and Responses
SAF Commander-in-Chief and President of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, vowed severe retaliation after visiting survivors. He described the attack as a systematic campaign of violence against civilians, a sentiment echoed by the Council, which condemned the RSF's actions.
Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict has led to widespread displacement and a humanitarian crisis, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warning that the number of displaced individuals could soon exceed 10 million. The United Nations (UN) and other organizations have called for thorough investigations and accountability for the violence.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, expressed deep concern over the attack, emphasizing the need to respect the rules of war. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted that over 8.8 million people have fled their homes, and 24.8 million are in urgent need of assistance.
Ongoing Conflict and Allegations of Genocide
The conflict between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, headed by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has resulted in numerous civilian massacres and widespread atrocities. Al-Jazira, Sudan’s agricultural heartland, has seen specific targeting by the RSF, including forced conscriptions and using hunger as a weapon.
At the UN Security Council, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, warned that the situation in Sudan bears the marks of genocide, with strong allegations suggesting such crimes have already been committed.
