The US government is expressing concern about Sudan after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued to attack villages as it expanded its territory beyond Khartoum.
The RSF, once a paramilitary force allied to the Sudanese Armed Forces (Saf), expanded its violence into Jezira State on Sunday night after attacking the Wad Madan area, some 230 kilometres south of the capital Khartoum.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller had earlier said that Washington was urging the RSF to halt their advance into Jezira State immediately.
“Troubling reports indicate that elite RSF units have travelled to reinforce attacks in the direction of Wad Medani, actions that threaten vulnerable civilians in a manner inconsistent with RSF’s stated claims that it is fighting to protect Sudan’s people.
“We also urge against Saf clashes with the RSF and other actions that are endangering civilians”.
Wad Medani had become a safe haven for displaced civilians and an important hub for international humanitarian relief efforts, acting as a corridor outside Khartoum.
A continued RSF advance now risks mass civilian casualties and significant disruption to humanitarian relief efforts. The RSF advance has already caused large-scale displacement of civilians from Jezira State, rights and aid groups warned on Monday.
RSF also attacked the north-eastern suburbs of El Fasher on December 16. Like Wad Medani, El Fasher had become a safe haven for civilians displaced by the fighting.
“Such advances undermine confidence in efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire and a negotiated end to the conflict. They gravely threaten vulnerable civilians,” the statement said.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths said, “Sudan’s Al-Jezira State clashes threaten the lives of tens of thousands of displaced people.”
Following the outbreak of violence, the United Nations suspended its work and field missions in the state from Saturday.
