Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization
Report on the Artillery Shelling by RSF on the Abu Shouk IDP Camp and South Desert College, and Its Impact on Other Civilian Areas in North Darfur
Date: September 3, 2024
Introduction
This report aims to provide a comprehensive account of the shelling carried out by the Rapid Support Forces on civilian areas in North Darfur, with a particular focus on the attack on the Abu Shouk IDP camp on September 1st, 2024. The report also covers the shelling of South Desert College and the Police Hospital, offering a detailed analysis of the events, human impact, and broader implications for civilian protection in the region.
Shelling of Abu Shouk IDP Camp
On September 1st , 2024, the Rapid Support Forces launched artillery shelling targeting the Abu Shouk IDP camp located in the capital of North Darfur, Al-Fashir. The shelling began around 3:45 PM Sudan local time. According to eyewitness testimony provided to the Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization, the artillery targeted Block 10 and Block 13 in the western side of the camp.
Four shells landed inside the camp, leading to the destruction of the home of Mr. Ali Adam Musa, a 55-year-old teacher and car driver in the camp. His 15-year-old son, Wael Youssef Adam Musa, was injured in the hand. Unfortunately, Ms. Farida Ahmed Ismail, a 23-year-old resident of Block 10, was killed in the attack.
Shelling of South Desert College
On August 26, 2024, South Desert College in North Darfur was subjected to intense artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces. The attack resulted in partial destruction of the college, including significant damage to the main hall, the morgue, and several administrative offices.
This attack can be traced back to the early stages of the conflict that began on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. By May 10, 2024, the Sudanese Armed Forces had taken control of the college buildings, turning them into a military base for the northeastern sector under the command of Captain Adam Kosovo, a prominent military figure. The military occupation of this educational institution is the primary reason behind the targeting of the college and the surrounding areas by the Rapid Support Forces.
South Desert College, established in 2018 by Dr. Suleiman Jedo, a native of Darfur, and headed by Dr. Al-Sadiq Khalafallah from Omdurman, represented a significant achievement in its facilities, study environment, and vision. The destruction of this institution not only represents a great loss to the educational infrastructure in Darfur, but it also highlights the dangers of using civilian institutions for military purposes.
Shelling of the Police Hospital
On August 25, 2024, the Police Hospital in Al-Fashir was also subjected to intense artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces. The shelling caused partial destruction of the hospital. Eyewitnesses reported to the Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization that the hospital was providing vital services to civilians, particularly IDPs who had fled from Tawila, Kutum, Nyala, Al-Geneina, and Zalingei. The hospital was completely devoid of any military presence at the time of the attack.
The targeting of this hospital has exacerbated the suffering of civilians in accessing essential healthcare services. The deliberate targeting of health facilities and hospitals is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The recent series of artillery shellings in North Darfur, targeting civilians, educational institutions, and health facilities, underscores the urgent need for international intervention. These violent acts not only violate the principles of international humanitarian law but also further deteriorate the already dire humanitarian situation in Darfur.
The Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization calls on the UN Security Council and other relevant international bodies to take immediate and decisive action to protect civilians in Darfur. We recommend the following:
1. Immediate Humanitarian Assistance:
• Provide urgent humanitarian aid including food, clean drinking water, medical supplies, tents, and shelter facilities to the affected areas, particularly Abu Shouk camp and the surrounding regions.
2. Establishment of Civilian Protection Mechanisms:
• Form a rapid response mechanism under international supervision to protect civilians from future attacks and ensure all parties to the conflict comply with international humanitarian law.
3. Investigation and Accountability:
• Conduct thorough investigations into the recent shelling incidents and hold those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law accountable, including the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
4. Demilitarization of Civilian Areas:
• Take urgent measures to demilitarize educational institutions, health facilities, and other civilian areas to prevent their use as military bases and to protect them from being targeted by warring forces.
The Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization remains committed to advocating for the protection and rights of all civilians in Darfur and will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary.
Prepared by: Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization
Date: September 3, 2024
