Paramilitary forces seize el-Fasher in Darfur, sparking mass killings, sexual violence, and regional alarm as the Sudan civil war intensifies.
Sudan is facing a humanitarian catastrophe as paramilitary forces of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly killed at least 1,500 people in the western city of el-Fasher over the past three days. The attacks come during the RSF’s ongoing battle with Sudan’s military for control of the country, a conflict that has already displaced over 12 million people.
The Sudan Doctors Network, which monitors the civil war, called the events a “true genocide”, highlighting that this violence mirrors the mass killings that claimed more than 14,000 lives in el-Fasher over the past year and a half.
Mass Killings and Targeted Attacks
Eyewitnesses and humanitarian reports describe a deliberate and systematic campaign of killing. Satellite imagery from Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) shows clusters of objects resembling human bodies and large areas of red discoloration across the city.
The RSF has reportedly attacked civilians fleeing the city, executed patients in hospitals, and targeted volunteers in mosques and Red Crescent facilities. Health workers were among those killed, with the Saudi Maternity Hospital alone reportedly losing over 460 lives, according to the World Health Organization.
Videos circulated on social media depict RSF fighters shooting at civilians attempting to escape, including footage of troops entering hospitals and executing those inside. Survivors reported that at least 500 people were seeking refuge in the Saudi Hospital during the massacre.
Regional and International Reactions
The RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher has raised alarms across the region. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Jordan condemned the atrocities and urged the RSF to protect civilians and allow safe humanitarian access.
Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar called for dialogue and a ceasefire, reaffirming support for Sudan’s unity and sovereignty, while regional powers expressed deep concern over grave human rights violations.
The United States has also labeled RSF actions as genocide, highlighting the international stakes in the escalating civil war.
The Broader Context
The RSF, which evolved from the infamous Janjaweed militias of the early 2000s, has long been implicated in mass atrocities in Darfur. Their recent advances put them in near-total control of the Darfur region, raising fears of renewed violence and potential fragmentation of Sudan.
Analysts say the RSF’s rise is linked not only to a struggle for power but also to control over Sudan’s strategic resources, including rare earth minerals and livestock trade along the Red Sea. Experts warn that el-Fasher’s fall could foreshadow further atrocities as RSF forces move eastward.
Unprecedented Violence
Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of Yale’s HRL, described the attacks in el-Fasher as unprecedented in scale, highlighting the systematic targeting of hospitals, neighborhoods, and humanitarian facilities.
Ahmed Ibrahim, a former government staffer, explained that the RSF’s power grab stems from failed integration into the national army and broader geopolitical ambitions to dominate Sudan’s resources. “This is not just a power struggle between two generals,” he said.
The situation in el-Fasher illustrates the devastating human cost of Sudan’s ongoing civil war and the risks posed by paramilitary dominance in fragile states. With tens of thousands killed and millions displaced, the international community is under mounting pressure to respond effectively to prevent further catastrophe.