Massacre Unfolds in Sudanese City Seized by Paramilitary Group Amid Fears of Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide
The paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has taken control of the city of El Fasher in western Darfur region of Sudan, sparking reports of ethnically motivated mass killings and other atrocities. The situation on the ground appears dire, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of widespread violence and displacement.
Footage released by local activists shows RSF fighters executing civilians at point-blank range, while videos shared by pro-democracy activists depict dozens of people lying dead alongside burnt-out vehicles. However, the authenticity of these reports has not been verified due to communication blackouts in the city.
The Joint Forces, an alliance with Sudan's army, have accused the RSF of executing over 2,000 unarmed civilians in recent days. The RSF has claimed control of the city's main base and released a statement saying they had "extended control over El Fasher from the grip of mercenaries and militias."
Eyewitness accounts describe door-to-door clearance operations, with residents being forced to flee their homes, only to be told they are "Sudanese army fighters" when executed. Satellite imagery has revealed bodies on the ground and discoloration indicative of mass killings.
The UN Human Rights Office has confirmed reports of summary executions, ethnic motivations for killings, and videos showing dozens of unarmed men being shot or lying dead, surrounded by RSF fighters. The office warns of a growing risk of "ethnically motivated violations and atrocities" in El Fasher.
Civilians trapped in the city are facing dire conditions, with limited access to aid and no communication networks functioning. Local activists have reported seeing bodies in ditches and trenches filled with friends, neighbors, and family members, indicative of a genocide unfolding.
The RSF's capture of El Fasher marks a significant turning point in the war, giving them control over all five state capitals in Darfur and raising concerns about partition in Sudan. The situation has sparked warnings of ethnic cleansing and a repeat of massacres seen in other parts of Darfur.
The paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has taken control of the city of El Fasher in western Darfur region of Sudan, sparking reports of ethnically motivated mass killings and other atrocities. The situation on the ground appears dire, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of widespread violence and displacement.
Footage released by local activists shows RSF fighters executing civilians at point-blank range, while videos shared by pro-democracy activists depict dozens of people lying dead alongside burnt-out vehicles. However, the authenticity of these reports has not been verified due to communication blackouts in the city.
The Joint Forces, an alliance with Sudan's army, have accused the RSF of executing over 2,000 unarmed civilians in recent days. The RSF has claimed control of the city's main base and released a statement saying they had "extended control over El Fasher from the grip of mercenaries and militias."
Eyewitness accounts describe door-to-door clearance operations, with residents being forced to flee their homes, only to be told they are "Sudanese army fighters" when executed. Satellite imagery has revealed bodies on the ground and discoloration indicative of mass killings.
The UN Human Rights Office has confirmed reports of summary executions, ethnic motivations for killings, and videos showing dozens of unarmed men being shot or lying dead, surrounded by RSF fighters. The office warns of a growing risk of "ethnically motivated violations and atrocities" in El Fasher.
Civilians trapped in the city are facing dire conditions, with limited access to aid and no communication networks functioning. Local activists have reported seeing bodies in ditches and trenches filled with friends, neighbors, and family members, indicative of a genocide unfolding.
The RSF's capture of El Fasher marks a significant turning point in the war, giving them control over all five state capitals in Darfur and raising concerns about partition in Sudan. The situation has sparked warnings of ethnic cleansing and a repeat of massacres seen in other parts of Darfur.
... I mean, it's like, what can you even say? The world is just watching as innocent people get caught up in all this violence 
. But you know, I've been thinking, maybe this can be a wake-up call for the world to actually do something about these conflicts 
. Like, we need to step up our game and support organizations that are on the ground, helping those affected by the fighting 
.
I know some people might be saying "oh, this is just another example of how messed up Sudan is", but like, that's not helping anyone 
. We need to focus on finding solutions, not just pointing fingers.
. But you know what? I still believe in humanity, even when things seem darkest 
. We can make a difference, one small step at a time 
.
this is just getting crazy! what's going on in sudan, it feels like we're watching a war crime unfold before our eyes 
the thought of 2k unarmed civilians being killed by the rsf is just horrific 
and now the UN is warning about ethnic cleansing? this is not how conflicts are supposed to be resolved 
. What's going on with the RSF? When did they become a paramilitary group? And what's happening to the Joint Forces who are trying to intervene? This is a perfect storm of violence and it's just devastating 
. We need to get those civilians to safety ASAP, no more delays or excuses 
and what's even more disturbing is that this could be part of a bigger plan for ethnic cleansing... 
[
i dont know who to believe anymore, local activists are saying its genocidal what are we waiting for? 
ugh this is so sad... I drew a simple diagram to try and visualize the situation: 
. and the fact that locals are being told they're "Sudanese army fighters" when executed is just horrific 