UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council has demanded a halt to the siege of Al-Fashir city in Sudan’s North Darfur region by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and an immediate end to fighting in the region, western media reported on Friday.
The 15-member council adopted a British-drafted resolution that also stressed the withdrawal of all fighters that threaten the security and safety of civilians in Al-Fashir, the city of 1.8 million people, western Darfur region not under RSF control.
War started in Sudan in April last year between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing the world’s largest displacement crisis. Top UN officials have warned that the worsening violence around Al-Fashir threatens a bloody intercommunal strife throughout the Darfur region.
Fighting forces people to flee homes
Last month tens of thousands of people fled their homes in Al-Fashir, after an attack by Rapid Support Forces who are fighting to seize the last army stronghold in the western Darfur region. RSF troops assaulted and looted the vast Abu Shouk camp killing many and wounding at least 13.
Earlier, the preliminary projections by United Nations agencies and aid groups had warned that 17.7 million people, or 37% of the population of the area was facing high levels of food insecurity, with none considered in a catastrophic situation.
According to medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) at least 85 people have died at the only functioning hospital in the south of Al-Fashir since May 10.
The total number of deaths is much larger as civilians hit by fighting in the north, east, and south of the city, MSF and residents say. The RSF has accused the army of using human shields as well as carrying out extensive air strikes, including destroying a power station in Al-Fashir.
