Sudan fighters accused of storming famine-hit camp
Zamzam camp near el-Fasher is hosting an estimated 500,000 people, who are living in famine conditions
A paramilitary force in Sudan has stormed the country`s largest displacement camp, looting and setting fire to the market and several homes, a local refugee group has said.
The Zamzam camp in North Darfur has been hit by intense artillery shelling since late last year, but this is the first time the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been accused of sending in fighters.
An eyewitness told the BBC the situation at the camp was "extremely catastrophic", and there were many casualties.
The nearby city of el-Fasher, one of the centres of the civil war that erupted in 2023, is already under siege by the RSF as it battles the army.
The military and RSF had been allies - coming to power together in a coup - but fell out over an internationally backed plan to move towards civilian rule.
The Sudanese IDPs and Refugees Bloc said Zamzam camp was invaded on Tuesday.
However, an RSF spokesman denied its fighters had penetrated it, saying they had seized a nearby military base belonging to an armed group that fights alongside the Sudanese military, after it had shelled RSF checkpoints for days.
BBC Verify has confirmed social media footage that shows men waving guns triumphantly with flames behind them and saying they are in the camp.
The insignia has been removed from their uniforms, but the man filming the video has RSF markings.
Asked about the damage to the market the RSF spokesman said the group had "circulated a message in which we committed to protect the camp residents and asked them to stay away from the fire exchange areas".
See RSF must stop attacks on famine-stricken Zamzam camp, Amnesty International
Related:
A simple guide to the Sudan war
Last surgeons standing in el-Fasher`s only hospital
Big Sudan camp pushed into famine - experts
Photo: Buildings burned in attack on Darfur refugee camp. Source: Maxar Technologies.
