The governor-designate of the Darfur region. The siege to which El-Fasher was subjected is a crime under international law.
The governor of the Darfur region, designated Minister of Health of the Darfur regional government, said. Babiker Hamdeen declared that the siege to which the city of El Fasher was subjected constitutes a crime under international humanitarian law, because it endangers the lives of civilians by starving them and systematically depriving them of the right to life, which is an inherent right even in cases of wars and conflicts. He added that El Fasher has become “a city under siege”.
At his press conference this afternoon to discuss the humanitarian repercussions of the attack by the rebel Rapid Support militia on the town of El Fasher, Hamdeen condemned the aggression in the strongest possible terms. barbaric with the siege and indiscriminate bombardments of the rebel Rapid Support militia and its mercenary allies on the town of El Fasher, thus exposing the lives of civilians and displaced people to the danger of hunger, thirst, disease and of death.
The minister also condemned the recruitment and use of children under the age of fifteen to serve as soldiers in the militia, which is prohibited by international humanitarian law and in accordance with international treaties and standards.
Hamdeen called on the United Nations, the Security Council, the international community and human rights organizations to take clear decisions and positions against the Rapid Support Militia, condemn it, prosecute it and to hold it responsible for the serious violations it committed against civilians in its attack on the town of El Fasher, work to bring humanitarian aid there and protect children by preventing their recruitment into the ranks of militias and preventing the targeting of IDP camps by militias during military operations.
He appreciated the positive role of the North Darfur State Ministry of Health and the field workers and state health support for their efforts and dedication in providing services under these circumstances. He also appreciated the positive role of the People's Armed Forces and the People's Armed Forces. the joint force of the armed struggle movements and the Popular Resistance Forces which fulfilled its duty to protect civilians and their property.
He explained that the attack on the city of El Fasher on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday May 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2024 AD, was preceded by an attack by militias against rural areas in the west of El Fasher, which led to the burning of around fifteen villages, and the localities of Melit and Al-Koma were attacked, which caused numerous victims and caused the displacement of thousands of people towards the city .
He said the attack followed a siege that lasted more than two months, during which militias mobilized their forces across Darfur states and brought in foreign mercenaries. The city was isolated from its surroundings, its supply lines were cut. , and all land and air routes connecting the city to the states of Sudan and neighboring countries were closed. Militias have prevented the entry of humanitarian aid, medicine and basic goods, leading to rising food and fuel prices and a shortage of drinking water. and the spread of disease and malnutrition among children.
He said that the town of El Fasher was a refuge and humanitarian center for displaced people who took refuge there from various cities in the country due to the repercussions of the ongoing war, in addition to the old camps for displaced people since 2003. and the new accommodation centers.
He said that during its attack on El Fasher, the militia resorted to indiscriminate shelling with heavy artillery weapons in an attempt to force citizens to flee or surrender with the aim of looting their money and property. assets and take full control of the Darfur states.
He confirmed that the bombings caused 38 deaths and 280 injuries among innocent and defenseless citizens, and damaged and destroyed some civilian houses and basic and historic service sites in the city, such as the Children's Hospital and the buildings of the Ministry of Education. Infrastructure (Urban Observatory).
He said indiscriminate shelling of the city by the militia has affected health facilities, causing some to go out of service and others to be overcrowded with patients. The number of injuries and deaths increased, as did the need for blood. , with a shortage of medicines and medical supplies.
He stressed that subjecting the city to siege and indiscriminate bombing is contrary to all human norms and values and is inconsistent with the laws and human rights charters stipulated in international treaties, especially during conflicts and wars.
In this regard, he indicated that the militias attacked the displaced persons camps located north of the town of El Fasher, endangering the lives of the displaced and forcing them to flee again.
He took pity on the souls of the martyrs of the armed forces, the armed struggle movements, the mobilized and the civilians killed following the barbaric attack of the Rapid Support rebel militias against the city of El Fasher while they were defending their land and honor, and he wished urgent recovery to the wounded and wounded.
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