Chaos in Zamzam: Civilians Endure Horrific Assaults Amid Ongoing Conflict

The situation in Zamzam camp worsens, with over 100 civilians killed in relentless attacks linked to Sudan's ongoing civil war. A community plagued by famine-like conditions grieves as hopes for safety fade, and the UN expresses grave concerns over these brutal assaults.

The Zamzam camp, home to hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals fleeing Sudan's civil war, has been engulfed in violence for three consecutive days, leaving residents in a state of despair. Accounts from those within the camp paint a picture of catastrophic conditions, with over 100 civilians reported dead, including at least 20 children, amidst ongoing assaults attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These armed groups have dismissed claims of wrongdoing, asserting that allegations of violence are fabricated.

Many who live in Zamzam and the nearby Abu Shouk camp are enduring starvation, exacerbated by the relentless attacks. Mustafa, a community kitchen worker, shared a harrowing survivor's account, outlining the loss of colleagues and family while pointing to a severe lack of medical care. “Our community is shattered. There are no resources to treat the injured, and the situation is dire as shelling continues,” he communicated through a WhatsApp audio message.

Another resident, Wasir, voiced the hopelessness felt among the inhabitants: “Nothing is left in Zamzam. We are trapped, with all exits blocked as we hear the deafening sounds of shelling around us.” Reports confirm that many civilians have tried to flee to el-Fasher, the nearest city, but the journey is fraught with danger and injury.

Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, expressed profound concern over the pattern of violence against vulnerable populations and aid workers in the region. Condemnation of the RSF’s actions has come from various international quarters, including the US State Department and British officials preparing for an upcoming conference to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.

Tragically, the humanitarian organization Relief International reported the loss of nine of its staff members during the Zamzam attacks, underscoring the devastating impact on essential health services in the camp. According to eyewitness accounts from surviving staff, the attackers specifically sought out health workers, shooting them in an apparent targeted assault designed to cripple medical support.

A recent analysis of satellite imagery by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab corroborates reports of widespread destruction in the camp, indicating that the recent assaults represent one of the most significant aggressions since the violence erupted in spring 2024. The ongoing power struggle between the Sudanese army and RSF has led to what many are calling the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with over 12 million displaced and surviving under perilous conditions.

This bleak situation in Zamzam illustrates the broader turmoil experienced across Sudan, especially as el-Fasher remains the last stronghold under army control, besieged by RSF forces for the past year. As the conflict continues with no sign of resolution in sight, the humanitarian plight of those in Sudan grows ever more critical.