Full Breakdown
Atrocities in El Fasher: RSF's Brutal Campaign Documented by Survivors
11/26/2025, 9:09:15 AM
Overview of Atrocities in El Fasher
In late October 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, leading to widespread violence and human rights abuses. Survivors have reported that RSF fighters executed unarmed men, committed sexual violence against women and girls, and left hundreds of bodies in the streets. Amnesty International has documented these events through interviews with 28 survivors who fled the city.
Eyewitness Accounts of Violence
Survivors described harrowing experiences during the RSF's takeover. Ahmed*, a 21-year-old, recounted how he attempted to escape with his family but lost his wife to an explosion. He witnessed RSF fighters executing his brother and other men who were captured. Daoud*, 19, similarly reported that he saw his friends shot while trying to flee. Khalil*, 34, narrowly escaped execution by pretending to be dead after RSF fighters opened fire on his group.
Badr*, 26, detailed a chilling account of how RSF fighters executed elderly men and filmed the killings to extort ransom from their families. The brutality extended to sexual violence, with Ibtisam* and her daughter both raped by RSF fighters during their escape. Ibtisam reported that her daughter later died from the trauma and injuries sustained during the attack.
Context of the Conflict
The conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The RSF, which has roots in the Janjaweed militia implicated in past genocidal campaigns, has been accused of committing war crimes, including ethnically targeted attacks against non-Arab communities. The ongoing violence has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and displaced more than 14 million people.
Official Responses and Calls for Accountability
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “The world must not look away as more details emerge about the RSF’s brutal attack on El Fasher.” She called for the international community to hold those responsible accountable and urged the United Nations to extend its arms embargo to all parties involved in the conflict.
The RSF has acknowledged some violations but has not provided a comprehensive response to the allegations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been implicated in facilitating RSF atrocities through its support, a claim the UAE has consistently denied.
Broader Implications
The situation in El Fasher reflects a broader humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where ongoing violence has created a dire need for international intervention and support. The testimonies from survivors underscore the urgent need for the international community to take action to prevent further atrocities and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The RSF were killing people as if they were flies.” — Ahmed*, Survivor
- “The RSF were killing people as if they were flies. It was a massacre. None of the people killed that I have seen were armed soldiers.” — Khalil*, Survivor
- “They were enjoying it, they were laughing” — Badr*, Survivor
- “She came to me and said, ‘Mum, they raped me too, but do not tell anyone.’ After the rape, my daughter really became sick… When we reached Tawila, her health deteriorated, and she died at the clinic.” — Ibtisam*, Survivor
The situation in El Fasher remains critical, with ongoing reports of violence and a pressing need for humanitarian assistance and accountability for the atrocities committed.
