'Child in arms, luggage on my head, I fled Sudan camp for safety'

Recent violence in Sudan’s Darfur region has intensified the humanitarian crisis at Zamzam camp, home to 700,000 internally displaced people. Already among the world’s most vulnerable, residents of Zamzam endured a recent assault by paramilitary forces, further compounding the dire situation. This latest attack on Zamzam camp follows years of conflict in Darfur and the broader Sudanese civil war, which initially forced these individuals to seek refuge and safety.

Attack on Zamzam Camp

Having sought shelter in Zamzam, Sudan’s largest camp for internally displaced persons, residents had begun the arduous process of rebuilding their lives. However, this fragile stability was shattered when the camp was subjected to a fierce ground and aerial offensive. The assault on Zamzam was reportedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engaged in a conflict with the Sudanese army for control of El Fasher city, located nearby.

RSF Control and Denial of Atrocities

While the RSF has refuted accusations of atrocities committed at Zamzam camp, they have confirmed taking control of the area. The North Darfur Health Minister, Ibrahim Khater, described the devastation to BBC Newsday, stating that Zamzam is “completely destroyed” and “no-one is there” following the attack.

Fleeing to Tawila: A Grueling Journey

Among the thousands who escaped the ravaged Zamzam camp was 28-year-old Fathiya Mohammed, a resident for three months. Her journey to safety in Tawila involved a harrowing four-day walk, barefoot.

“I was carrying one child on my back, another in my arms, and luggage on my head,” she recounted to the BBC, illustrating the desperate circumstances faced by fleeing families.

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Personal Accounts of Loss and Hardship

Ms. Mohammed’s ordeal included the anguish of losing contact with her husband amidst the chaos of the Zamzam assault. She remains unaware of his current whereabouts.

Adding to their suffering, Ms. Mohammed’s family was also targeted by robbers during their escape to Tawila, further enduring exhaustion, hunger, and thirst.

Influx into Tawila and Overwhelmed Resources

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reports that tens of thousands have sought refuge in Tawila after fleeing Zamzam. Saadiya Adam, another displaced resident, fled with her young children after her temporary shelter in Zamzam was burned down.

“They burned my house in Zamzam and they burned my sheep,” Ms. Adam stated, having resided in the camp for two months. “Everything I owned was burned. I have nothing left,” she lamented, highlighting the complete devastation experienced by many.

Strain on Tawila’s Hospital

The arrival of displaced people is overwhelming Tawila’s already limited resources. MSF reports that over 20,000 individuals sought medical assistance at the hospital they operate in Tawila within a 48-hour period.

Head nurse Tiphaine Salmon described the grim reality: “We see many people injured by bullets, it is becoming routine.” She recounted the tragic case of a seven-month-old baby with bullet wounds, illustrating the indiscriminate nature of the violence.

Eyewitness Accounts of the Violence

Issa Abdullah, a patient at Tawila hospital, recounted his direct encounter with the RSF during the Zamzam attack.

“We were six of us, we encountered RSF,” said Abdullah. “Three vehicles opened fire over us. They hit me on the head. A bullet came near my mouth. I’m OK now, but there are others in worse condition,” he testified, underscoring the brutal nature of the assault.

Injured and Robbed

Hussein Khamis, another victim, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during the Zamzam attack. His struggle to reach safety was compounded by the lack of immediate aid.

“After I was injured, there was no-one to carry me,” Khamis explained. He eventually reached a deserted local hospital before obtaining transport to Tawila, where he, like Ms. Mohammed, reported being robbed en route.

The RSF has not addressed these specific claims of robbery and violence against fleeing civilians.

Strategic Implications of Zamzam’s Capture

Established in 2004 during the Darfur conflict to shelter those displaced by ethnic clashes, Zamzam camp’s capture holds strategic importance for the RSF. This takeover follows the RSF’s recent loss of control in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital.

The RSF maintains control over a significant portion of western Sudan, including much of Darfur. Recently, the group announced intentions to establish a parallel government in the regions under its control, raising concerns of a potential division of Sudan.

A Plea for Peace Amidst Devastation

Now in Tawila, seeking refuge, Ms. Mohammed reflected on the profound impact of the conflict.

“We want the war to stop,” she implored. “Peace is the most important thing,” she concluded, echoing the sentiments of countless others affected by the ongoing violence in Sudan and Darfur.