Images depicting the aftermath of the recent massacre in Sudan’s civil conflict reveal vast areas of sand tainted with blood and heaps of corpses. The assault on El Fasher in the Darfur region by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, resulted in the expulsion of Sudan’s military from its final stronghold in the area during the ongoing two-year civil war.
An estimated 2,000 civilians lost their lives following the army’s retreat from El Fasher, leaving over 250,000 individuals, including numerous children, under the jurisdiction of the paramilitary forces. Analysis conducted by Yale University indicated the presence of objects resembling human bodies and reddish discoloration in aerial images of the city’s Daraja Oula neighborhood.
Satellite imagery displayed elongated shapes near pickup trucks and sand barriers, with newer images showing red stains that were absent in previous photographs, suggesting the presence of blood pools. Evidence of “door-to-door clearance operations” was observed with vehicles obstructing side streets, while multiple clusters of bodies were discovered around the city’s outskirts, where witnesses reported civilians being shot while attempting to escape.
Yale researchers described the situation in El Fasher as a methodical and deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing against indigenous non-Arab communities through displacement and summary executions. The RSF, as stated by local militia who fought alongside the army, committed atrocious acts against innocent civilians, primarily targeting women, children, and the elderly.
Reports from the Sudanese army’s Joint Forces confirmed the execution of over 2,000 civilians within 48 hours, with footage circulating on social media revealing RSF fighters celebrating the capture of El Fasher. Despite claims by the RSF deputy commander urging against looting or harming civilians, additional footage captured brutal acts of violence, including shootings and beatings of fleeing individuals, underscoring the grim reality of the conflict.
Alarming reports from the UN Human Rights Office highlighted the RSF’s alleged atrocities, including summary executions in Darfur. Military officials acknowledged the withdrawal of troops due to the RSF’s relentless assault and violence against civilians, aiming to minimize further harm to the populace.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the escalating violence in El Fasher, emphasizing the pattern of abuses, including systematic killings and torture. RSF fighters were reported to have ransacked hospitals and medical facilities, further deteriorating essential healthcare infrastructure, as human rights organizations decried the targeting of civilians and arbitrary detentions as potential war crimes.
The brutal actions of the RSF in El Fasher were denounced by professional groups such as the Doctors’ Union, characterizing the situation as a ruthless campaign to terrorize and eliminate civilians. Calls were made to designate the RSF as a terrorist organization, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention to address the escalating crisis in Sudan.