The United Nations has reported that more than 6,000 people were killed in three days when Sudanese paramilitary forces captured the city of el-Fasher last October.
Rapid Support Forces offensive
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, overran el-Fasher, the Sudanese army’s last stronghold in Darfur, on 26 October 2025. The city had been under siege for more than 18 months.
The UN Human Rights Office documented at least 4,400 killings inside the city between 25 and 27 October, with over 1,600 more killed while fleeing the RSF offensive. The 29-page report described atrocities including mass killings, summary executions, sexual violence, abductions for ransom, torture, and disappearances. Many attacks were ethnicity-motivated.
Sexual violence widespread
The UN report highlighted widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, with RSF fighters and their allied militias targeting women and girls. The RSF did not respond to requests for comment.
Pattern of abuses
The atrocities in el-Fasher reflect a wider pattern of RSF conduct during its war against the Sudanese army. The paramilitary group has previously documented its own war crimes, and videos of fighters lynching civilians, attacking emergency responders, and celebrating dead bodies have circulated online.
The conflict began in April 2023 when a power struggle between the army and the RSF escalated into open fighting in Khartoum and across Sudan, producing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and pushing parts of the country into famine. The International Criminal Court is investigating these acts as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Alleged foreign support
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has faced accusations of backing the RSF, an allegation reportedly confirmed by an RSF intelligence officer in an exclusive interview. The UAE foreign ministry denied the claims, stating: “We categorically reject any claims of providing any form of support to either warring party since the onset of the civil war.”
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