Zamzam Camp Under Siege: A Closer Look

The 700,000 residents of Sudan's Zamzam camp, already living in dire poverty, faced a terrifying onslaught from paramilitary forces last week. The camp, a refuge for those displaced by over two decades of conflict in the Darfur region, was devastated as violence escalated following Sudan's civil war.

A Gripping Personal Tale of Survival

Amid this chaos, Fathiya Mohammed, a 28-year-old mother, made a harrowing escape. After losing her husband during the attack, she trekked barefoot for four days, clutching one child on her back, another in her arms, and balancing their belongings on her head. 'Exhaustion, hunger, and thirst were constant companions,' she recounted.

The Systematic Destruction of Lives

The assault on Zamzam, perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left the camp 'completely destroyed,' according to North Darfur Health Minister Ibrahim Khater. Thousands of families have fled in search of safety, with Saadiya Adam losing her home and livestock in the flames of violence. 'Everything I owned was burned. I have nothing left,' she lamented.

Wave of Displacement: Tawila Overwhelmed

Images captured by journalists reveal thousands of internally displaced individuals pouring into the town of Tawila. However, the local medical facilities are overwhelmed, as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported over 20,000 seeking treatment in just two days.

Grim Realities of War Injuries

Injuries from gunfire are becoming alarmingly routine, with patients ranging from infants to the elderly arriving with severe wounds. A seven-month-old girl, barely able to cry after being shot, underscores the brutal toll this conflict is taking on the vulnerable.

Unique Perspectives on the Violence

Survivors like Issa Abdullah recount the traumatic moments of the attack, where multiple gunfire erupted from RSF vehicles, and Hussein Khamis, who was shot in the leg, described the despair of finding empty hospitals as people fled the chaos.

A Desperate Call for Peace

As their lives unravel, many survivors echo the same plea. 'We want the war to stop,' Fathiya pleaded. 'Peace is the most important thing.' With the RSF's recent territorial ambitions and plans for a parallel government, the crisis in Sudan spirals even deeper.

The Broader Context of Violence in Sudan

Zamzam, established in 2004 for those fleeing ethnic violence in Darfur, now stands at the center of a strategic struggle. The RSF, having lost grip on Khartoum, seeks control of more territory, raising fears of a divided Sudan.