Amidst the chaos in Sudan's Darfur region, residents of the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons have fled following brutal attacks by paramilitary forces. Families face dangers like theft, injury, and loss as they seek refuge in Tawila, where medical facilities are overwhelmed with casualties.
Desperate Escape: Sudan's Zamzam Camp Under Siege
Desperate Escape: Sudan's Zamzam Camp Under Siege
As violence escalates, internally displaced families flee the ruined Zamzam camp in search of safety, facing harrowing challenges along their journey.
In yet another heartbreaking chapter of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the residents of Zamzam camp, home to approximately 700,000 internally displaced people, have been forced to flee after brutal assaults from paramilitary fighters. For many, the camp was a fragile haven amid years of instability triggered by widespread civil war, but recent violence has left it in ruins.
28-year-old Fathiya Mohammed vividly recounted her escape from the camp after being separated from her husband during the chaos. "I walked barefoot for four days," she said, carrying her one child on her back, another in her arms, and luggage atop her head. "We encountered thieves along the way and had to endure pain, hunger, and thirst."
Officials report that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) conducted ground and aerial assaults on Zamzam, which has led to complete destruction. Health Minister Ibrahim Khater described the aftermath to the BBC, stating, "No-one is there." The RSF has yet to comment on the allegations of atrocities within the camp, where they have claimed control.
Among those escaping was Saadiya Adam, who lost everything when her home and livestock were burned during the attack. "Everything I owned was burned. I have nothing left," she lamented. Thousands more have been seen arriving in Tawila, many traveling on foot or by donkey cart as they seek assistance.
The local hospital in Tawila is overwhelmed, reporting more than 20,000 new patients, many suffering from bullet wounds and other injuries sustained during their escape. Nurse Tiphaine Salmon remarked, "We see many people injured by bullets; it is becoming routine." Distressing accounts of encounters with the RSF have become common.
Amid the suffering, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported treating over 170 injuries since the beginning of the attacks, with a significant number of these patients being women and children. Marion Ramstein from MSF noted that many vulnerable individuals are still trapped and may not survive without help.
Zamzam has been a refuge for displaced families since 2004, created in response to the ethnic violence of the Darfur conflict. Its strategic location has made it a target for the RSF, which aims to extend control over the region after losing ground in Sudan's capital. The RSF's recent announcement to establish a parallel government in western Sudan raises further alarms about the country's stability.
For those like Fathiya Mohammed, who risked everything in search of safety, the cry for peace is urgent. "We want the war to stop," she voiced softly. "Peace is the most important thing."
