Mysterious Illness Caused Deaths in Sudan's Al-Hilaliya Amid RSF Siege
Reuters
At least 73 people have died from unknown causes in the town of al-Hilaliya, in Sudan's eastern El Gezira state, where residents have been besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since late October. According to the Sudanese Doctors Union, the deaths are linked to a mysterious illness, believed to be diarrhoea, which has overwhelmed the town’s healthcare facilities. The ongoing conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s army has already displaced over 135,000 people across the region, and the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen.
The siege of al-Hilaliya, which started on October 29, followed the defection of a senior RSF commander to the Sudanese army, sparking retaliatory attacks. Locals say the town, once a stable trade hub housing 50,000 people, including many displaced from other areas, was targeted due to its association with the family of the defected commander. The RSF's actions have included heavy shelling, looting of local markets, and cutting off access to communication networks, making it difficult for those inside the town to share information.
One resident, who spoke to Reuters, described the devastating impact of the illness, which has claimed the lives of his family members. However, due to a network blackout enforced by the RSF, it took days for the community to learn the true scale of the outbreak. "We only found out when others managed to escape to areas with internet access," the man said.
Satellite imagery from a Yale Humanitarian Lab report revealed a dramatic increase in burial sites in several towns across Gezira state since the latest wave of revenge attacks began. The imagery also showed signs of agricultural destruction, with fields in the village of Azrag reportedly set on fire by RSF forces.
As the war between the RSF and Sudanese army continues to ravage the country, the death toll rises, and the humanitarian crisis deepens. With more than 11 million people displaced and millions more at risk of famine, the situation has drawn in foreign powers, intensifying fears of a complete state collapse in Sudan.
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