Over 1,000 perish in devastating Sudan landslide
- An armed faction in Sudan reported that over 1,000 people died in a landslide in the village of Tirsin after days of heavy rain.
- The region has witnessed significant violence and humanitarian crises during the ongoing civil war.
- The SLM/A has called for international help to assist with recovery efforts amidst the broken region.
Sudan has been hit by a catastrophic landslide that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 individuals in the village of Tirsin, located in Central Darfur's Amo district. The tragic incident occurred after a prolonged period of heavy rain, which accumulated over four days and ultimately caused the land to collapse. The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), a rebel faction, revealed in a statement that nearly all residents of the village perished, leaving just one reported survivor. The landslide's impact is described as devastating, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis facing the region. The SLM/A emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling upon international organizations, including the United Nations, to assist in the recovery efforts for the deceased. They reported that the village was entirely leveled, and the loss includes men, women, and children. The concern for the dead has also been compounded by a lack of independent verification of the claims made by the rebel group regarding the casualty numbers. given the region's political instability and ongoing civil conflicts, it remains crucial to navigate and confirm such devastating events. This devastating event mirrors the turmoil Sudan has been experiencing in recent years, with the escalation of civil conflict beginning in April 2023, when armed factions, specifically the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, turned against each other. This clash has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, displacing millions and exacerbating an already precarious situation for citizens in the nation. The Jebel Marra mountains, where Tirsin is situated, are of significant strategic importance and have previously been a stronghold for the SLM/A in the ongoing Darfur conflict, which has been persistent since the early 2000s. The area is also known for its agricultural production, particularly citrus cultivation, thus intensifying the impact of the landslide on not just human life but also regional agricultural stability. The international community is urged to respond promptly to the crisis as the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate with many lives at stake.