‘Massacre’ as RSF drones, artillery strafe North Darfur capital

At least 27 civilians are known to have died, and dozens more wounded, in drone and artillery shelling by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, capital of North Darfur that has lasted from Saturday until yesterday. The acting wali (governor) of North Darfur has condemned the shelling as “a massacre”.

The latest death toll, which is provisional and could be expected to rise [most recent sources put it closer ot 100], numbered 23 on Monday, according to the acting wali of North Darfur, El Hafiz Bakheet, in addition to dozens of wounded. He described what has been happening in the city of El Fasher since Saturday, which has seen shells fall on public buildings, hospitals, and mosques, as “a true massacre”.

Speaking during a visit to the Specialised Hospital for Women and Maternity, the wali confirmed that the hospital received more than 10 incoming missiles and shells that hit patients and companions in the hospital, launched from the RSF platforms. He explained that in spite of this, the hospital has become the only one that still includes all departments after all other hospitals in El Fasher went out of service.

He confirmed that on Saturday, at least 25 civilians were killed, and yesterday, Sunday, more than six citizens were killed, in addition to dozens of wounded. The wali accused the RSF of an intentional strategy to displace the residents of El Fasher, while stressing that “the people of the city are steadfast in the face of this systematic and ongoing bombing since Saturday”.

Deaths in Saudi hospital

The director of the Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Khater, says that three people who were accompanying patients were killed when the RSF bombed the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher on Monday afternoon.

Khater said in press statements that the Rapid Support Forces bombed the Saudi Hospital with more than 10 heavy artillery shells, which led to damage to the accident ward and the nutrition ward. He confirmed the safety of the medical staff.

He said that the bombing also targeted the Islamic complex northeast of the hospital, killing at least three children and wounding others.

A doctor from the Saudi Hospital told Radio Dabanga that the bombing damaged a number of cars and shattered the windows of the wards. He said that the hospital received a large number of wounded.

Bombing for long hours

A caller from El Fasher, who preferred to withhold his name for security reasons, told Radio Dabanga that the heavy artillery shelling began at 08:00 and continued for more than eight hours. He pointed out that the limited-range artillery shells continued until late at night, and warned that the shelling also targeted the General Command, the airport, and the customs and first-class neighbourhoods.

He said that the army also bombed the RSF positions and concentrations northeast of the city, and pointed out that the bombing led to the closure of markets and the cessation of transportation.

65 killed in three days

The El Fasher Resistance Committees say in a statement on its Facebook page today that 65 people were killed in El Fasher in three days due to artillery shelling. It explained that among the dead were 43 children and 13 women.

It said that the RSF continued to shell the city with 70 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) daily.

The bloodiest day

Minni Arko Minawi, the governor of Darfur, said in a tweet on the X platform that Monday was one of the bloodiest days in El Fasher, and accused the Rapid Support Forces of targeting civilian gatherings such as mosques and hospitals, especially the Saudi hospital. Minawi also accused Abdelrahim Dagalo, the second commander of the Rapid Support Forces, of bringing a missile system two days ago via El Geneina. He said that the silence of the international community is a scandal in international law.