The Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemned on Monday the armed attacks targeting Zamzam and Abu Shouk displacement camps near El Fasher, Sudan, which resulted in numerous casualties, including children, women, and humanitarian aid workers.

In an official statement, Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as a "flagrant violation of international humanitarian law," reaffirming the country's steadfast position on the need to protect civilians and relief workers, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and support peace and stability efforts in Sudan—in line with the Jeddah Declaration, relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and international conventions.

The ministry extended its deepest condolences and sympathy to the Sudanese people and the victims' families, wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured.

Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

According to reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the attacks—carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—killed over 100 people, including 20 children and 14 staff members of the International Relief Charity Organization, with around 200 others wounded.

Zamzam and Abu Shouk, two of Darfur’s largest displacement camps, shelter more than 700,000 people who fled violence since 2003. These civilians now find themselves trapped once again in the line of fire, with no safe refuge, after critical water sources were bombed and food supplies ran out.

Key Points:

• Diplomatic Condemnation: Bahrain’s statement aligns with international legal frameworks.

• Casualty Toll: Specific figures (100+ dead, 200+ injured) highlight the attack’s severity.

• Humanitarian Catastrophe: Camps are at breaking point due to targeted attacks and depleted resources.

• Accountability Demand: Implicit call for action per UNSC resolutions and the Jeddah Declaration.

Why This Matters:

• War Crime Allegations: Deliberate attacks on IDP camps may constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.

• Regional Implications: Escalation risks further destabilizing Darfur and worsening the world’s worst displacement crisis.