Recent paramilitary Sudan RSF attacks in Gezira state have caused a large number of civilian casualties as well as substantial displacement. According to aid organizations, the RSF has carried out violent operations in several towns and villages, resulting in extensive looting and the damage of both private and public property. A local youth organization and a union of physicians reported that numerous civilians have died in these attacks, especially during a three-day onslaught in al-Sireha, where attackers killed 50 people in one day.
The Associated Press reported that as many as 124 people may have died, with about 200 individuals wounded, based on information from local activists and reports from the Sudan News website. This recent violence stems from a power struggle that erupted on April 15, 2023, between the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The ongoing conflict has displaced more than 10 million people, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis recognized globally by the United Nations.
In response to RSF activity, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a significant offensive to reclaim territories surrounding Khartoum’s capital. Analysts and politicians emphasize the importance of understanding the context of these activities. According to Amgad Faried, executive director of the Fikra for Studies and Development and a Sudanese politician, the recent violence results from a defection inside the RSF. He stated that on October 20, Abuagla Keikal, a well-known RSF commander in Gezira and former army officer, switched allegiances.
Since his defection, the RSF has increased its attacks on the eastern Gezira and al-Butana districts. Faried mentioned that Keikal has been accused of committing crimes against the local populace. After the Sudan RSF attacks in Gezira state it highlights Sudan’s catastrophic predicament and the urgent need for a conclusion to the war.
