Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced that they’ve seized control of Zamzam Camp, located in the western Darfur region.
The RSF took control of the famine-hit camp after a four-day assault—beginning on Sunday—which involved heavy shelling and aerial attacks that reportedly left hundreds of civilians dead, according to the government and aid groups. Zamzam Camp had been home to over 700,000 Sudanese displaced by the ongoing war, and according to reports, all shelters, healthcare facilities, and markets were destroyed during the attack.
Following the offensive, the RSF alleged that the camp was being used as a base for a “mercenary faction” and needed to be “liberated” from the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). However, humanitarian organizations and aid groups have strongly rejected these claims, describing the incident as a targeted assault on civilians including women, children, and the elderly.
In the aftermath, thousands of camp residents have fled to Al-Fashir, overwhelming existing shelters and refugee camps as they scramble to seek safety.
The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), a Darfur-based militia allied with the national army, has been engaged in fierce battles with the RSF around Al-Fashir, just 15 km (9.3 miles) from Zamzam. Supported by other local armed groups, the SLA is now urgently calling for military reinforcement from Sudan’s armed forces and allied factions.
“The leadership of the armed forces must act swiftly to save the lives of approximately 1.5 million people in Al-Fashir,” the SLA said in a statement. “Darfur must not fight alone.”
The RSF, however, has denied targeting civilians. They claim these reports are part of a smear campaign by their rivals and insist they organized voluntary evacuations for families fleeing Al-Fashir and neighboring camps on Saturday. They also stated they welcome humanitarian agencies to intervene and provide aid.
The war in Sudan began in April 2023, triggered by a power struggle between the national army and the RSF. The conflict has dashed hopes of a civilian-led government and plunged the country into deeper chaos.
In regions like Darfur, where the RSF is fighting to maintain control, millions have been displaced while the army continues to advance in the capital, Khartoum.
