Abu Shouk Camp Attack – January 7, 2025
At 6:00 AM this morning, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out a targeted assault on the Abu Shouk IDP camp in El Fasher, North Darfur. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of several civilians, including women and children, and left many others injured. Critical infrastructure and essential facilities within the camp sustained extensive damage, further worsening the already dire conditions faced by displaced residents.
The Abu Shouk camp serves as a refuge for hundreds of thousands of civilians who fled violence in Darfur. Attacking such a sanctuary constitutes a blatant violation of international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits attacks on civilians and their property. This act of violence adds to the growing insecurity in the region and deepens the humanitarian crisis.
Airstrike on Fata-Burnu Camp – January 5, 2025
Just two days earlier, a Sudanese military airstrike targeted the Fata-Burnu camp in North Darfur State. The airstrike struck the Heshab neighborhood, leading to widespread devastation and the heartbreaking loss of an entire family: Tahani Omar Abkar, Makkah Omar Abkar, and Madinah Omar Abkar. The attack, marked by its indiscriminate nature, shocked the community and left survivors in desperate need of medical care, food, water, and shelter.
These deliberate attacks on IDP camps, which are meant to provide safety and protection for vulnerable populations, have compounded the already dire humanitarian situation in North Darfur. The survivors, including women and children, remain deeply affected by the violence and the destruction of their homes.
The assaults on Abu Shouk and Fata-Burnu camps represent gross violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Beyond the immediate loss of life, these attacks have escalated fear and insecurity among displaced populations. The destruction of critical infrastructure and the limited access to essential services have further deepened the suffering of already vulnerable communities.
The Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) calls on the international community to take urgent and decisive action. Immediate accountability must be demanded for these heinous attacks, and steps must be taken to ensure the safety of civilians in IDP camps. Humanitarian aid, including medical assistance, food, and shelter, must be prioritized to address the worsening crisis.
The ongoing violence against unarmed civilians highlights the need for global intervention to enforce international law and hold perpetrators accountable. The innocent lives lost in Abu Shouk and Fata-Burnu camps must not be forgotten, and justice must prevail for the victims of these atrocities.
