Fighting intensifies in cities in western Sudan

Fighting shook several cities in western Sudan this Wednesday (14), in an expansion of the war that has lasted almost two months in the country. A regional governor was killed after publicly blaming the country’s paramilitary force for the deaths of civilians. Conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused a humanitarian crisis in Khartoum, as well as major cities in the Kordofan and Darfur regions. The escalating fighting threatens to prolong the violence and draw in armed groups — particularly those with tribal affiliations — as well as outside actors. West Darfur state governor Khamis Abbakar was killed yesterday, according to an armed group he commanded, hours after he accused the RSF and allied militias of “genocide”. No details about his death were released. Two government sources said the RSF was responsible. “Civilians are being killed randomly and in large numbers,” Abbakar told Al-Hadath TV channel, calling for international intervention. Activists say 1,100 people have been killed since the fighting broke out in mid-April in the westernmost town of El Geneina, West Darfur’s capital. (Additional reporting by Adam Makary and Maggie Michael) *Reproduction of this content is prohibited.

Agência Brasil