November 5, 2024 (WAD MADANI) – Hundreds of villages in Sudan’s Al Jazirah state have been emptied by residents fleeing retaliatory attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), raising fears of forced displacement and demographic change. The RSF campaign, which began after an RSF commander defected to the army on Oct. 20, has triggered a wave of violence and looting, driving civilians from their homes. While the RSF accuses residents of supporting the army, the motives behind the widespread displacement remain unclear. Concerns are growing that the RSF may attempt to alter the region’s demographics by bringing in new residents. The Al Jazirah Conference, a local civil society group, estimates that 400 villages have been completely emptied and 115 partially emptied in eastern Al Jazirah alone. On Monday, the RSF attacked Wad al-Abyad village, killing a resident and displacing those who had sought refuge there. Since the commander’s defection, the RSF has killed hundreds and displaced nearly 500,000 people in Al Jazirah, according to the Al Jazirah Conference. Last week saw deadly attacks in al-Hilailya and al-Bururab, forcing residents to flee villages across eastern Al Jazirah. Casualty figures vary, with some reports claiming over 1,000 deaths since the RSF seized …

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