Sudanese Paramilitary Commander Abu Lulu Returns to Combat After Detention Over War-Crime Videos

Nine sources, including a Sudanese intelligence official and an RSF commander, said Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris—known as Abu Lulu—was fighting in Kordofan in March 2026, months after his detention for videos showing him executing unarmed civilians during the RSF’s October 2025 seizure of al-Fashir.

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UN investigators labeled the al-Fashir killings as bearing genocide hallmarks, counting over 6,000 civilian deaths from 25-27 October. Verified footage shows Abu Lulu shooting at least 15 unarmed captives; roughly 300 videos of RSF atrocities were posted online, and a November 2025 RSF-fighter video with 210,000 followers praised him.

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Abu Lulu is the accused war-crime commander. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) publicly acknowledged violations and set up an accountability committee. Deputy commander Abdelrahim Dagalo ordered his release. Spokesperson Ahmed Tugud Lisan speaks for the Tasis government. Human-rights lawyer Jehanne Henry warns senior RSF leaders of criminal liability.

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• 27 Oct 2025: Abu Lulu filmed shooting unarmed captives during al-Fashir seizure.

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• 30 Oct 2025: RSF released video of his handcuffed transfer to Shala prison.

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• Mar 2026: Multiple sources confirmed his active combat role in Kordofan.

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RSF spokesperson Lisan said rumors of Abu Lulu’s release are “untrue, malicious, and completely false,” insisting he remains detained and will face a “just trial.” Hemedti earlier pledged that any soldier who committed a crime would be arrested, investigated and tried by the newly formed accountability committee.

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The UN Security Council sanctioned Abu Lulu on 24 February for human-rights abuses. International leaders, including U.S. politicians, have condemned the killings as war crimes and call for transparent trials of senior RSF commanders.

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Manazil Mousa, 25, identified Abu Lulu as the man who seized phones, beat her family and shot her brother Mubarak during the al-Fashir offensive.

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RSF officials deny any release, yet twelve sources—including RSF commanders and a Chadian officer—affirm his presence on the battlefield; Al Jazeera’s November release claim remains unverified and no post-release combat footage has surfaced.

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• “The talk about Abu Lulu being released is untrue, malicious, and completely false,” — Ahmed Tugud Lisan, RSF spokesperson

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• “If Abu Lulu disappeared, or you arrested him or tried him, we are all 1,000 Abu Lulus,” — Salah Abdeen Mohamed Azala, RSF fighter “Desert Shield.”

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• “He was the one who killed Mubarak. He is the one who killed our families and killed our husbands.” — Manazil Mousa, refugee

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The RSF-appointed accountability committee continues its probe, while international pressure grows for a fair trial of Abu Lulu and other commanders. Fighting in Kordofan endures, and the RSF’s reliance on controversial figures may shape future peace efforts.

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