KHARTOUM, Dec. 29, (Xinhua/GNA) — At least 20 civilians were killed and 17 others injured in two attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on two displacement camps in El Fasher city in western Sudan, a local government official said on Saturday.
“Last night (Friday), a RSF militia drone dropped four bombs on Qoz Bena school, a camp hosting hundreds of displaced people in El Fasher, killing 19 civilians and injuring 16 others,” Ibrahim Khatir, director-general of North Darfur State’s health department, told Xinhua. “This morning, the militia launched artillery shelling on Abu Shouk displacement camp, north of El Fasher, killing a civilian and injuring a girl,” he added. The RSF has not yet commented on the two incidents in El Fasher. Fierce clashes have been raging in El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF since May 10.
Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which claimed at least 29,683 lives and displaced over 14 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to the latest estimates by international organizations.
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Politics Maduro Demonstration
Maduro calls for demonstration ahead of Jan. 10 swearing-in
CARACAS, Dec. 29, (Xinhua/GNA) — Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, has called for his supporters to take to the streets “to defend the vote” as he prepares to be sworn in for the 2025-2031 presidential term on Jan. 10.
“In every arena, we are defending our right to peace, stability, and tranquility. Let no one be mistaken!” Maduro wrote on social media on Saturday.
The call came amid heightened political tensions in Venezuela. The opposition coalition Democratic Unity Platform (PUD) claimed that its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, was the “true” winner of the election, and has announced plans to hold his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 10. The PUD is backed by several Western countries led by the United States.
Maduro said the social and political movements supporting his administration “will remain in constant mobilization, with joy and in various forms,” adding that “on Jan. 10, the people’s forces will be present.” “This Jan. 10, Venezuelans will take the oath with the joy that defines us, for our cause and our homeland. What lies ahead in 2025 is monumental!” Maduro said. The president said “those who seek to diminish us have failed to suppress the indomitable strength of the people,” as he urged supporters to mobilize in defense of their right to vote.
GNA