Sudanese Refugees Flee to Chad Amid Ongoing Civil War and Airstrikes

Sudanese refugees are fleeing to Chad due to deadly airstrikes and ground attacks amidst a civil war that has lasted nearly three years. Doctors Without Borders operates a mobile clinic along the border, aiding those in need. Escalating violence, especially by the Rapid Support Forces, has created an alarming humanitarian crisis, displacing over 12 million people and resulting in nearly 20,000 civilian deaths, according to the UN.

Sudanese refugees are fleeing to Chad in increasing numbers due to escalating airstrikes and ground attacks in Sudan’s civil war, which has persisted for nearly three years. A mobile medical clinic established by Doctors Without Borders at the border serves as the initial refuge for many of these displaced individuals, who desperately seek safety. Kubrah Abdullah Dawood, a refugee, recounted her harrowing escape from Darfur’s El Fasher, explaining that an airstrike killed her brother, compelling her to leave with her infant daughter.

Kate Hixon, advocacy director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Amnesty USA, highlighted the intensified conflict driven by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), stating, “Wherever the R.S.F. is, we’ve seen burning of villages, blocking of aid, [and] conflict related sexual violence.” She warned that as the R.S.F. consolidates its position in Darfur, the frequency of ground attacks will likely rise alongside continued airstrikes from both sides, exacerbating the refugee crisis.

The influx of refugees has prompted Doctors Without Borders to expand its medical services in the rural northern border regions of Chad. Survivors fleeing the Darfur region shared their experiences, indicating a pattern where R.S.F. raids are swiftly followed by retaliatory strikes from the Sudanese military. One refugee, Fayza Adam Yagub, explained, “The R.S.F. would raid the village, [and then] the [Sudanese military] would strike.”

A recent airstrike on March 25 in Toura, North Darfur, resulted in at least 54 fatalities, raising serious allegations of war crimes against the Sudanese military, which they have denied. Civilians have endured significant suffering amidst this brutal civil war, with nearly 20,000 civilian deaths and over 12 million displacements reported by the United Nations, underscoring the deepening humanitarian crisis in the region.

The ongoing civil conflict in Sudan has forced an alarming number of individuals to flee to Chad, where they encounter perilous conditions compounded by violence. The role of airstrikes in this displacement highlights the broader humanitarian crisis as both sides of the conflict continue to impose heavy tolls on civilian populations. The increased presence of organizations such as Doctors Without Borders is crucial in addressing the urgent medical needs of these refugees. As the situation deteriorates, it is imperative that the international community pays attention to the crisis and works towards effective solutions to protect the rights and lives of those affected by the war in Sudan.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com

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