RSF kill 49 in retaliatory attack on east Al Jazirah villages

At least 49 people were killed and dozens more wounded in a retaliatory attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on villages in East Al Jazirah, central Sudan, according to Sudan Tribune.

The attack, which targeted civilians, has triggered a humanitarian crisis and fueled further displacement.

The Al Jazirah Conference released a statement reporting that the RSF’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in 300 deaths across 30 villages in the Tambul area. Sudan Tribune, however, indicates that the casualty count remains incomplete due to communication outages and the ongoing search for the missing.

These attacks are believed to be a retaliation for the defection of a prominent RSF commander, Abu Aqla Kikal, who joined the Sudanese army last Sunday.

Kikal’s defection has sparked ongoing waves of displacement as the RSF seeks revenge against those perceived to be supporting the army.

Residents of east Al Jazirah villages have given consistent accounts to Sudan Tribune of RSF atrocities against civilians. One survivor from the village of Ad al-Khadr described RSF members slaughtering a citizen and firing randomly before setting agricultural fields ablaze.

The attacks have forced residents from 24 villages to flee their homes, including al-Sharafa al-Bahr, Dalut al-Bahr, al-Habika al-Naqr, Bant, al-Amara Ali, Ad al-Khadr, Wad al-Hussein East, Wad al-Hussein West, Wad al-Humaim, al-Abudab, al-Aziaba, al-Suqia, al-Junayd al-Hilla, al-Hashishab, al-Sayal, and the five villages that make up Kariyat. The displacement has also affected neighbourhoods in Tambul and most of Rufaa city.

Displaced people are facing a dire humanitarian situation. Many are struggling with severe food shortages and lack basic commodities, especially flour. Looting by the RSF at the start of the attacks has left displacement destinations with a severe shortage of cash and widespread loss of personal funds.