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Crisis deepens in West Darfur capital as civilians face targeting and displacement
[SUDANTRIBUNE] Civilians who have escaped the conflict in West Darfur state said that the state capital El Geneina is currently facing a multifaceted humanitarian and security crisis.

They further reported the ongoing targeting and forced displacement of civilians by Arab militias allied with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), warning that the situation in El Geneina has grown increasingly complex.

Since April 15, El Geneina has been ravaged by violent mostly peaceful conflict that initially erupted between the army and the Rapid Support Forces but has since escalated into festivities between Masalit and Arab tribes. This inter-tribal fighting has resulted in numerous civilian deaths and extensive infrastructure destruction.

On May 17, communication and internet services were severed in the region, effectively isolating it amidst the ongoing tribal conflicts. This isolation has prompted thousands of people to flee to Chad for safety.

Mohammed Ishaq, a resident of the Alshati neighbourhood in El Geneina who managed to reach the Chadian area of "Adré," shared with Sudan Tribune his observations that "the Arab tribal militias are still engaging in massacres targeting all African tribes residing in El Geneina without exception."

Ishaq emphasized that these acts amount to genocide and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous population, forcibly displacing them from their homes. He further detailed the dire situation in neighbourhoods such as Alshati, al-Naseem, al-Thawra, Alzhour, and Alkifah, where armed militias supported by the RSF have invaded these areas and targeted members of African tribes.

"People are being killed solely based on their ethnicity. Hundreds of bodies remain unburied in these neighbourhoods due to the difficulty of reaching them amidst the presence of bully boys," he lamented.

Ishaq highlighted the challenges faced by those who managed to escape El Geneina and reach Chadian territory. They encountered numerous difficulties and came under attack from tribal button men deployed along the main streets, with snipers posing a significant threat to individuals attempting to cross the border.


Posted by: Fred 2023-06-15
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=669947