Atrocities in El Fasher: The Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding in Sudan

In late October 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, captured El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, marking a significant escalation in Sudan's ongoing civil war. This takeover followed an 18-month siege that left the city devastated and its residents vulnerable. Reports indicate that the RSF may have killed at least 60,000 people during the assault, with the United States accusing the group of committing genocide against non-Arab populations in the region. The UN migration agency estimates that over 100,000 residents fled El Fasher, while many remain unaccounted for, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

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The RSF's actions in El Fasher have been characterized by widespread atrocities, including summary executions, sexual violence, and the looting of essential resources. A report from Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) indicates that the RSF has engaged in a systematic campaign to destroy evidence of mass killings, including the burial and burning of bodies. Satellite imagery has revealed clusters of objects consistent with human remains, with many of these sites disappearing shortly after the RSF's takeover, suggesting a deliberate effort to conceal the extent of the violence.

RSF destroying evidence of atrocities in Sudan: report

The humanitarian situation in El Fasher and surrounding areas has deteriorated significantly. The city, once bustling with markets and life, now resembles a ghost town, with satellite images showing overgrown vegetation where commerce once thrived. The UN has reported that approximately 500,000 people lived in the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near El Fasher, which has also faced violence from the RSF. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an impartial investigation into the atrocities, highlighting the need for accountability.

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International responses to the violence have been criticized for their inadequacy. Despite warnings from various organizations about the impending crisis, influential countries, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, failed to intervene effectively. The RSF's chief, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has faced mounting pressure to investigate the actions of his forces, although skepticism remains regarding the sincerity of such inquiries.

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While the RSF's actions have been widely condemned, there are conflicting reports regarding the exact number of casualties and the full extent of the atrocities. Estimates of those remaining in El Fasher vary, with some sources suggesting that between 70,000 and 100,000 people may still be trapped in the city. The lack of access to the area complicates efforts to verify these figures and understand the complete humanitarian impact.

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• “These horrific patterns of violations—committed with impunity—are consistent with what my Office has repeatedly documented.” — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

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• “They separated the men from the women and children. They lashed and insulted the women verbally and they fired on the men randomly. If they decided that you are a SAF or Joint Forces soldier, they will kill you immediately.” — Mohamed Hassan, El Fasher resident

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• “The camp was empty. I saw scattered dead bodies on the roads. Only chicken, donkeys and sheep were wandering around. The RSF was positioned in the main market.” — Survivor from Zamzam camp

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The situation in El Fasher remains dire, with ongoing violence and a humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold, drawing urgent attention from the international community.

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