CAIRO — Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) initiated attacks on Monday in a famine-affected displacement camp near el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, resulting in the death of 40 individuals, as reported by local rights organizations.

The Abu Shouk displacement camp’s Emergency Response Rooms released a statement on Facebook indicating that the RSF, currently engaged in conflict with the Sudanese military, stormed areas of the camp, specifically targeting people inside their residences. This community activist group, which aids citizens throughout Sudan, reported a minimum of 19 additional injuries.

Located outside of el-Fasher, the Abu Shouk displacement camp shelters approximately 450,000 displaced persons and has faced multiple attacks amid the ongoing war. Despite the RSF’s frequent assaults, the Sudanese military maintains control over el-Fasher.

In addition, the Resistance Committees in el-Fasher acknowledged these attacks on Facebook, describing the situation as a reflection of the severe atrocities committed against unarmed and innocent individuals. The Resistance Committees consist of local citizens and human rights advocates within the community.

The civil conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 in Khartoum and has since spread nationally following long-standing tensions between the RSF and the army. This conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, displaced approximately 12 million individuals, and left many facing severe food shortages. Humanitarians identify the Abu Shouk camp as one of two camps suffering from intense famine conditions.

The Sudanese army reported engaging in combat with RSF forces on Monday in el-Fasher, commencing early in the morning around 6 a.m. and concluding by the afternoon. According to its social media updates, the army claimed victory over the paramilitary group.

“Our forces repelled a large-scale attack from several axes by the terrorist militia and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in lives and equipment, as more than 16 combat vehicles were destroyed and burned and 34 vehicles, including armored cars, were captured,” the army claimed in a statement.

There was no mention of the fight on the RSF’s Telegram channel.

Darfur Gov. Mini Arko Minawi said on Facebook that el-Fasher “triumphed over those who betrayed their land” in an apparent reference to the RSF in Monday’s fight.

Meanwhile, in North Kordofan province the RSF has been accused of displacing over 3,000 families from 66 villages due to fighting since early August, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The group also said the RSF looted the properties of those people and stole their money and livestock. Those displaced ended up arriving at Khartoum and White Nile provinces last week.