Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces in a statement on Monday accused the Sudanese army and its allied “extremist militias” of launching their 23rd assault on military and civilian positions in el Fasher, North Darfur.
RSF added that the coordinated attack, which occurred on Sunday, involved aerial bombings targeting residential areas, crucial infrastructure, and medical facilities.
“These systematic attacks are designed to create chaos and advance their strategic plan to provoke a civil war.”
The group said despite repeated provocations it will adhere to international and regional calls for peace while prioritizing the protection of innocent civilians.
RSF added that the army and its allied militias employed civilians as human shields and systematically destroyed vital public and private assets essential to the welfare of the Sudanese populace.
RSF also accused Arko Minawi, the current governor of Darfur and the leader of a faction within the armed group Sudanese Liberation Army, of acting as a mercenary in the conflict.
“Arko Minawi has increasingly acted as a mercenary in this war, indifferent to the fate of the innocent civilians of Darfur, despite his previous claims to be representing their interests. Resorting to indiscriminate violence, including barrel bombs, his actions demand international scrutiny, particularly his role in the Juba Peace Agreement and the motivations behind it.”
“Minawi’s recent hypocrisy is evident as he condemns bombings by the al-Bara terrorist group, while ignoring airstrikes that harm civilians, including attacks on the Nahar children’s hospital and his relatives’ homes in el Fasher.”
RSF said, ” History will hold Minawi and his associates accountable for their mercenary-driven actions and greed.”
Minawi’s betrayal discredits his claim to represent Darfur, RSF added.
Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is the head of the ruling Sovereign Council, and the RSF.
At least 13,900 people have been killed and more than eight million displaced in the conflict that started in April 2023, according to UN figures.
Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabia and US mediators have failed to end the violence.
