Sudan militia accused of mass killings and sexual violence as attacks escalate
GuardianOCT 20 2024
Nearly 47,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the past week, mostly to neighboring states, and at least 30 villages have been attacked, according to UN reports.
The violence in Gezira state escalated after a key RSF commander, Abu Aqleh Keikal, reportedly defected to government forces on October 20, marking the first such defection in the 18-month conflict.
The ongoing war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than 11 million, and triggered a devastating humanitarian and health crisis.
The situation in Sudan is a complex conflict with both sides fighting for control of the country. The defection of a key RSF commander to government forces suggests internal divisions within the paramilitary group. The Sudanese army's strategy of "choking out" RSF forces in key cities may be yielding results, potentially shifting the balance of power in the ongoing war.