Red Crescent volunteers have recovered numerous bodies from a well in Sharg Elnil, Sudan, indicating a tragic toll of violence following the territory’s recapture from paramilitary forces. Many victims had gunshot wounds, with indications some may have been alive when thrown into the well. These findings raise serious concerns regarding human rights violations in the ongoing civil conflict.
In Sharg Elnil, Sudan, recently recaptured by government forces after two years under paramilitary control, volunteers from the Red Crescent retrieved bodies from a well. Witnesses observed the volunteers in hazmat suits pulling out the remains, which were placed in black bags for identification. Most of the victims reportedly suffered head wounds, and some displayed signs they had been alive when they were disposed of in the well.
In addition to the bodies found in the well, other victims have been located on roadsides and concealed in basements throughout the Sharg Elnil district. Hisham Zain al-Abdin, director of forensic medicine for Khartoum state, revealed that several victims had been bound. “A lot of things happened here, and horrific scenes,” he stated.
The discoveries come nearly two years into the current civil conflict, as government forces advance into territories previously held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have faced accusations of severe human rights violations. Official reports indicate a pattern of widespread killings in areas that were under RSF control.
While the RSF has not responded to requests for statements, they previously denied claims of large-scale abuses and asserted that individual misconduct would be penalized. They have also accused government forces of committing similar wrongdoings, which the military has consistently denied.
Hussein al-Faki, a local resident who alerted authorities about the bodies, recounted attempts by locals to give the victims proper burials. However, he stated that armed men loyal to the RSF intimidated the community, stating, “If you got closer, they would shoot you. They scared us, so we ran away and left them.”
The situation in Sharg Elnil highlights the grim aftermath of the recent conflicts in Sudan, as evident from the horrific discoveries of bodies upon government recapture of the area. The presence of multiple victims, as well as the reported intimidation of local residents, underscores the serious human rights concerns tied to the ongoing civil war and the dynamics between government forces and paramilitary groups.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
