UN and Darfur Armed Movements Condemn Deadly Mosque Attack

The United Nations and various armed movements in Darfur have strongly condemned a drone strike on a mosque in El Fasher, which occurred during dawn prayers. The attack, carried out by a suicide drone, resulted in the death of over 70 worshippers, including prominent tribal leaders. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, has called for an investigation and demanded accountability for the perpetrators, while urging an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the besieged city.

Key Takeaways:

• The drone strike on a mosque in El Fasher killed over 70 worshippers, including prominent tribal leaders, with local groups blaming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the attack.
• The United Nations and various armed movements in Darfur have condemned the attack, with the UN calling for an investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.
• The Sudanese government and various factions within the Darfur movement have been criticized for their response to the attack, with the Coordination of El Fasher Resistance Committees accusing both the central government and the Darfur movement leaders of abandoning the city.
• The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been accused of targeting civilians in revenge for battlefield losses, with many calling for the group to be designated as a terrorist organization.
• The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) have both described the attack as a 'war crime', with the JEM calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
• The Joint Force of armed movements has accused the RSF of targeting civilians out of revenge for battlefield losses, and has called for the group to face them 'away from targeting civilians'.

Statistics:

• Over 70 worshippers were killed in the drone strike on a mosque in El Fasher, including prominent tribal leaders.
• The drone strike resulted in the deaths of 703 worshippers (although the exact number is not known, the statement suggested it was over 70)
• The UN's Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, has called for an investigation into the attack.
• The Sudanese government and various factions within the Darfur movement have been criticized for their response to the attack.

Sources:

• "UN and Darfur armed movements condemn deadly drone strike on mosque in Sudan", Reuters, no date provided (no date available in original text)
• Joint Forces of Armed Movements statement, attributed as 'Joint Forces statement' in original text