Shelling in Sudan's Abu Shouk Camp Claims Lives Amid Market Rush

A recent airstrike on the Abu Shouk camp in North Darfur has resulted in numerous casualties as insecurity in Sudan intensifies.

In a tragic escalation of violence in Sudan, heavy shelling by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a market located in the Abu Shouk camp has left dozens feared dead. The Tuesday evening attack, lasting approximately two hours, targeted a bustling market that serves over half a million displaced individuals who had already fled their homes. This attack marks yet another episode in the ongoing conflict that has deeply affected the region.

The shelling occurred during peak shopping hours as many locals were preparing to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Local officials reported several injuries ranging from minor to critical, according to Dr. Ibrahim Nadyan, a medical professional at the last operational hospital in el-Fasher, the nearby city. Notably, this is the second assault on the market within just three days; an earlier attack on Sunday resulted in the deaths of six civilians.

The RSF has yet to issue a statement regarding either of these assaults. Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, the toll has been catastrophic, with tens of thousands reported killed and millions displaced. Humanitarian organizations have warned of a looming famine as both the RSF and the Sudanese army have been criticized for committing human rights abuses, including genocide against non-Arab groups in Darfur.

The current situation highlights the deepening fracture in Sudan, with the army controlling northern and eastern regions, while the RSF governs significant portions of the western Darfur region and parts of the south. Despite ongoing efforts, the military has regained control over some areas of Khartoum in recent weeks, underscoring the volatility that continues to plague the nation.