In a dramatic surge of violence, Islamist militias and forces loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), stand accused of orchestrating brutal massacres across Sudan.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a key faction in the conflict, issued a statement on Tuesday detailing the devastating impacts of recent airstrikes and attacks in several regions, including East Darfur and Al-Jazirah State.
The RSF’s statement said that airstrikes, launched by coup forces and remnants of Sudan’s former regime, indiscriminately bombarded densely populated areas in the East Darfur capital of Al-Daein.
Among the worst-hit locations was the Al-Daein Teaching Hospital, a critical healthcare facility, which suffered severe damage. The RSF further reported that a police station and an elementary school were also targeted, marking a severe blow to essential infrastructure in the city.
In the Tawisha locality of North Darfur, residential areas were devastated, with entire families reportedly killed in the strikes. Similarly, the city of Al-Hasahisa in Al-Jazirah State witnessed extensive destruction, with dozens of women and children among the casualties. The attacks have left many homes and public buildings reduced to rubble, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Particularly alarming were the strikes on healthcare facilities. The RSF condemned the bombing of a kidney dialysis center and the maternity ward at Al-Daein Hospital, calling these acts deliberate attacks on civilian life. The destruction of a refrigeration unit containing vital vaccines for children’s immunization programs further underscored the far-reaching impact of the violence on vulnerable populations.
The RSF accused the Islamist-backed “Port Sudan Gang” of pursuing a scorched-earth strategy aimed at erasing Sudan’s diverse communities and silencing opposition forces. “These forces are showing no moral restraint or human conscience,” read the statement, which also described the attacks as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Despite the devastating toll, the RSF vowed to continue resisting what it termed the “criminal regime” of al-Burhan and his Islamist allies. The group reaffirmed its commitment to fighting for a democratic and civilian-led Sudan, with hopes of creating a unified and professional military dedicated to serving the nation rather than political factions.
The conflict, which has raged for over 16 months, has already claimed the lives of more than 18,800 people and left at least 33,000 others injured, according to recent figures from the United Nations. The escalating violence has prompted the UN to issue stark warnings that Sudan is now approaching a “cataclysmic breaking point.” As the conflict deepens, the toll on civilians continues to mount, casting a shadow over the country’s future.