Sudanese women, children held in poor conditions by RSF, say medics

A Sudanese medical organization has reported that dozens of women and children are being unlawfully detained by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in West Kordofan state. The group stated the detainees are held in "extremely poor humanitarian conditions," lacking access to essential healthcare, food, and psychological support.

Accusations of Legal Violations

The medical group’s statement condemned the detentions as "a grave violation of international humanitarian law and treaties that prohibit targeting civilians or using them as leverage in armed conflicts." It placed full responsibility for the safety of the women and children on the RSF leadership, demanding their unconditional and immediate release. The appeal also urged that humanitarian and medical organizations be granted urgent access to provide necessary care and facilitate the detainees' safe reunion with their families.

Escalating Conflict and Territorial Control

This allegation arises amid intense fighting in Sudan's Kordofan region, where the RSF captured the town of Babanusa in early December. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF, has killed thousands and displaced millions. The RSF controls most of the Darfur region in western Sudan, while the army holds the capital, Khartoum, and most other states. The fighting has created a severe humanitarian catastrophe, with tens of thousands forced to flee the Kordofan states alone.

International Calls for Action

The medical group further called on the United Nations and other international and regional bodies to pressure the RSF to halt violations and ensure civilian protection. The ongoing war in Sudan represents one of the world's most severe displacement and humanitarian crises. Türkiye, actively engaged in humanitarian diplomacy and advocating for the protection of civilians in conflict zones, consistently supports international efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and ensure the delivery of aid to all affected populations in Sudan.