At Least 80 Killed In RSF Attack On Sudanese Village

At least 80 people have been confirmed dead following a brutal attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the village of Jalqni in Abu Hujar locality, Sinnar state, central Sudan. The assault occurred after a five-day siege, according to a statement from the Sinnar Youth Gathering released on Friday.

The volunteer group reported that the attack, which took place on Thursday, was sparked by the RSF’s attempt to kidnap girls from the village. When the residents resisted, the RSF reportedly responded with indiscriminate gunfire and stormed homes, leading to the massacre.

As of now, the RSF has not commented on the incident. The group has been active in controlling large portions of Sinnar state since June, including the state capital of Singa, while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) hold the eastern part of the state.

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The ongoing conflict between the RSF and the SAF, which began on April 15, 2023, has resulted in over 16,650 deaths and displaced more than 725,000 people within Sinnar state alone, according to the International Organisation for Migration. Nationwide, the conflict has driven approximately 10.7 million people from their homes, with nearly 2.2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to recent UN data.

Ceasefire Agreement

Ceasefire negotiations, hosted by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland in Switzerland, began on Wednesday. However, the Sudanese army has declined to participate. Previous talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, did not result in a ceasefire agreement.

The RSF has made significant territorial gains since the conflict’s onset, including capturing the Sennar state capital of Sinja in June. The RSF controls major regions such as Khartoum, Al-Jazira, Darfur, and parts of Kordofan, while the SAF retains control over the southeast.

The conflict pits Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, his former deputy. The war has pushed Sudan to the brink of famine, with some estimates suggesting up to 150,000 deaths. Humanitarian conditions are dire, with over 10 million people displaced and many facing severe shortages of food and aid.

In a related development, Sudanese authorities announced the reopening of the western Adre border crossing with Chad to facilitate humanitarian deliveries. This move, welcome by international officials, expect to address critical aid shortages in parts of Darfur experiencing acute starvation.

US envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, noted that while the Swiss talks have yet to produce a concrete ceasefire, they have succeeded in drawing international attention to the crisis, which he hopes will lead to more substantial interventions.