Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported a “tragedy” in Nyala city in South Darfur state in western Sudan.
“A tragedy is unfolding in Nyala, South Darfur, where indiscriminate attacks on civilians have reached catastrophic proportions,” the MSF Sudan office said in a statement.
Civilians were used as “human shields”, the statement said: “We have also been told that armed fighters have stormed homes and hidden inside, effectively using civilians as human shields and leaving them with no protected spaces. In one day alone, on 23 August, shelling caused the death of 27 people, mostly women and children who were caught in the crossfire while hiding under a bridge.”
Time is running out for the wounded
In the statement, it was stated that due to the increase in violence and road closures, safe passages and basic health supplies should be provided in Nyala, and “Time is running out for the wounded.” MSF called for civilians’ lives to be protected and for them to be allowed safe passage.
The Sudanese army had demanded the complete integration of the RSF into the army within 2 years, as it saw the group as a threat.
The RSF said it could accept the process over a period of 10 years. The war of words and tension had turned into armed conflict between the parties on April 15 in Khartoum and various cities.
In the intense ongoing conflicts, especially in Khartoum and surrounding areas as well as the western cities, more than 3,000 civilians have been killed and tens of thousands injured.
The UN reported more than 4 million people have been displaced by the conflict.