Sudan Civil War: Scorched Earth Tactics Intensify as Fires Ravage 200 Settlements Since Conflict Began | Global News

In Sudan, there has been a disturbing trend of using fire as a weapon of war, with a sharp increase in the number of settlements being systematically burned. According to new data, over 200 settlements in Sudan have been hit by more than 300 fires since the start of the country’s civil war in April last year.

The Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) verified the data, revealing that last month saw the highest number of blazes on record. Seventy-two settlements were intentionally burned in April alone, surpassing the total from the previous three months combined. The Darfur region remains the worst affected by the violence, with a surge in fires particularly to the north and west of al Fashir, a city in North Darfur.

Anouk Theunissen, Sudan witness project director at CIR, expressed concern over the escalating violence and destruction caused by these fires. Many people have been forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods, living in fear as the conflict rages on. The clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have resulted in the displacement of 8.8 million people in Sudan, with two million fleeing the country.

The situation is dire, with reports of fighting and airstrikes coinciding with clusters of fires, indicating the indiscriminate use of fire as a weapon of war. The conflict has already claimed the lives of over 14,000 people and left thousands more injured, pushing the population to the brink of famine. The international community must take action to address this crisis and prevent further suffering in Sudan.