The Sudan Shield Forces, allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces, have been accused of war crimes after an attack on a village that killed at least 26 civilians. Human Rights Watch reported systematic looting and violence against those perceived to be aligned with rival forces. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in over ten million displaced people and widespread humanitarian crises, with both sides accused of severe rights abuses.
A militia allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) is facing accusations of war crimes following an attack on a village in January that resulted in the deaths of at least 26 civilians, including a child. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that the Sudan Shield Forces intentionally targeted this village on January 10. In addition to the fatalities, the militia is also accused of systematically looting civilian properties, seizing food supplies, and burning down houses.
The Sudan Shield Forces, formed in 2022 and largely consisting of individuals from Arab communities within al-Jazira state, reportedly attacked civilians in al-Jazira state who were perceived to be supportive of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers used racist language against local residents while engaging in widespread looting, which included the theft of money, food, and livestock such as approximately 2,000 cattle.
Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, a senior researcher at HRW, stated, “Armed groups fighting alongside the Sudanese Armed Forces have carried out violent abuses against civilians in their latest offensive in Gezira state.” Urging the Sudanese authorities, Gallopin emphasized the need for an urgent investigation into these reported atrocities and accountability for those responsible, including higher-ranking commanders of the Sudan Shield Forces.
Since warfare broke out in Sudan in April 2023, millions have been displaced, and both warring factions have been charged with committing war crimes and human rights violations. Over ten million individuals have been uprooted, with more than twelve million facing acute food insecurity. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths across the region.
The RSF, which operates with support from the UAE and is alleged to have committed acts of genocide, exerts control over significant areas in Darfur and parts of Khartoum and Kordofan. Recently, the RSF conducted a violent three-day assault in White Nile state, claiming the lives of 433 individuals, coinciding with the announcement of a new parallel government by its leaders in Kenya. Sudan’s foreign ministry characterized this latest attack as “the worst atrocity” committed by the RSF since prior genocidal events in 2023.
Emergency Lawyers, a collective monitoring the conflict in Sudan, reported that the RSF has targeted unarmed citizens, inclusive of women and children, in villages within the White Nile state. They have documented egregious acts such as field executions, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, and property looting, estimating the death toll to be around 200 in recent attacks.
In summary, the Sudan Shield Forces, allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces, have faced serious accusations of war crimes following a deadly attack on civilians. Human Rights Watch and other observers have reported systematic violence against unarmed individuals, prompting calls for accountability from Sudanese authorities. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in extensive displacement and severe humanitarian crises, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and protection of civilian lives.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
