El Gezira, Sudan — In the shadow of ongoing strife, families in Sudan’s El Gezira state are desperately fleeing their homes as the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and national army intensifies. One such harrowing tale is that of Salwa Abdallah, who narrowly escaped an violent incursion into her village, even as she was recovering from major surgery and caring for her newborn.
In late June, as this brutal war reached 18 months, the RSF launched a campaign of raids across eastern regions of the state. At least 65 villages and towns have been targeted in this fresh wave of violence, displacing an estimated 135,000 people to neighboring states such as Kassala, Gedaref, and River Nile. These areas are overburdened with the displaced populace from previous conflicts, exceeding 11 million internally displaced individuals nationwide.
Human Rights violations starkly reminiscent of the atrocities witnessed in Darfur last year are manifesting in El Gezira, according to the United Nations. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, a senior UN official in Sudan, expressed alarm over these incidents, citing them as egregious crimes that echo the darkest periods of recent history.
As an illustration of the escalating brutality, support groups have documented hundreds of civilian casualties, including at least 169 confirmed deaths attributable to RSF attacks and reprisals. The organization also reports horrifying incidents of sexual violence, including assaults that tragically ended the life of an 11-year-old girl and other appalling acts affecting dozens more.
Moreover, the conflict has raged beyond the battlefield, affecting daily life and the flow of essential information. Many villages report confiscation of internet devices by the RSF, significant disruptions in communications, and even the burning of crop fields that sustain local communities.
At the heart of this turmoil is not just a struggle for territorial dominance but also a fight over narratives and information. Residents from al-Nayb village shared their experiences, describing RSF forces’ ruthlessness in evicting them from their homes and violently suppressing any resistance from the locals. One man, disabled from a previous incident, recounted being thrown from his own home and subjected to physical assaults.
These acts of violence and intimidation have not only sown fear among civilians but also drawn criticism from international observers and local human rights groups. They have highlighted an urgent need for the RSF to uphold their responsibilities and for the army to protect civilians who find themselves on the front lines of this conflict.
As the cycle of violence repeats in El Gezira, the situation serves as a desperate reminder of the enduring crisis in Sudan. As both the RSF and army stand accused of impeding humanitarian efforts, the international community’s engagement becomes increasingly critical to mediate the conflict and facilitate much-needed aid. With each passing day, the stakes rise not just for the direct combatants but also for the innocent people caught between them, whose lives are irrevocably altered by the chaos of war.