Washington urges world powers to cut arms supplies to Sudan’s RSF as atrocities, mass killings, and a deepening conflict intensify concern across the region
The Sudan war continues to escalate as the United States issued its strongest call yet for global intervention. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the international community to cut off the weapons supply to Sudan’s powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — a force accused of committing mass atrocities in the city of el-Fasher.
Speaking at the conclusion of a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada, Rubio said the RSF was responsible for systematic killings, rape, and sexual violence against civilians. His remarks mark one of the most forceful statements made by the Trump administration regarding Sudan’s brutal conflict.
Sudan’s army has repeatedly accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the RSF with weapons and foreign fighters through African countries — allegations both the UAE and the RSF continue to deny.
A Civil War Driven by a Power Struggle
The RSF has been locked in a deadly conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023 after a high-stakes power struggle between their leaders erupted into a full-scale civil war.
Rubio’s call for action comes after a US-backed humanitarian ceasefire — which the RSF agreed to last week — was quickly violated. Instead of halting its offensive, the RSF seized el-Fasher last month after an 18-month siege, giving them control of every major city in the Darfur region.
Satellite imagery now reveals piles of bodies, scorched earth, and widespread devastation. Humanitarian organizations and the US accuse the RSF of targeting non-Arab groups in what they describe as genocide.
Atrocities in El-Fasher Raise Alarm
Rubio condemned the violence in explicit terms, saying women and children in el-Fasher had endured “horrifying atrocities” carried out by RSF fighters.
“They’re committing acts of sexual violence and atrocities of the most horrific kind,” he told reporters. “It needs to end immediately.”
Despite mounting evidence, Rubio avoided directly criticizing Abu Dhabi, even though UN-verified investigations have connected the Gulf nation to RSF arms shipments. The United States is working alongside the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia — collectively known as the Quad — to negotiate an end to the Sudan war.
Rubio hinted that certain countries play a direct role in weapons transfers, saying, “We know who the parties are that are involved… That’s why they’re part of the Quad.”
Peace Talks, Ceasefire Attempts, and a Relentless Battlefield
In September, the Quad proposed a three-month humanitarian truce as part of a broader plan leading to a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition toward civilian governance.
The RSF, however, waited until capturing el-Fasher before agreeing to the truce — a move critics say was a calculated tactic to solidify its territorial control.
Sudan’s army has objected to the UAE’s presence in the Quad but has not dismissed the proposal entirely.
Meanwhile, fighting continues with no signs of slowing, and civilians remain trapped between competing forces and foreign interests shaping the conflict from afar.
Final Thoughts
The call to restrict the weapons supply to the RSF highlights growing urgency as the Sudan war deepens. To stay informed on critical global developments, follow, share, or comment below — your engagement helps spotlight crises that demand worldwide attention.