A village in central Sudan faced tragedy on Friday as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a deadly assault, resulting in the deaths of more than 17 individuals and numerous injuries, according to a statement from a local resistance committee.
The attack targeted Aseer village in Gezira State shortly after Friday prayers, with the RSF accused of perpetrating a massacre as worshippers left the mosque.
The assault has triggered a significant wave of displacement among residents, the committee based in Wad Madani disclosed on its Facebook page.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation, reporting that nearly 80 people were wounded, some critically, during the assault which involved gunfire aimed directly at civilians leaving the mosque.
Amidst fears of further violence, residents are fleeing the area as RSF forces remain stationed nearby, prompting concerns of another potential attack.
The RSF, which seized control of Gezira State in December 2023 following the withdrawal of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has been involved in a protracted conflict since April 2023, resulting in a staggering toll of over 15,550 lives lost and 8.8 million people displaced nationwide, as estimated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
