In Al-Fasher, a Sudanese city besieged for over 500 days, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered, massacring civilians and leaving blood visible in satellite imagery.
RSF Takes Al‑Fasher and Begins Massacre
On 27–28 October, RSF militia overran Al‑Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, after the government army withdrew. Gunmen entered carrying machine guns and fired mortar rounds, killing many civilians, including children. The takeover ended the 500‑day siege and left the city trapped.
The militia looted homes, separated men from women and children, and barred men from leaving, forcing tens of thousands of civilians to remain inside with no escape routes.
Survivors Describe Horror and Looting
Hayat Yaqoub Hussein, who fled to a refugee camp some tens of kilometres away, told an independent Sudanese portal that RSF arrived in cars armed with automatic weapons. Her 17‑year‑old son died from a mortar hit; she abandoned the body and did not know the fate of her wounded husband.
She said the militia stole her money and phone, then forced women with children to separate, barred men, and left bodies along routes to the refugee camp. She reported seeing people killed in the last weeks, some just days earlier.
Satellite Images Reveal Blood on the Streets
The Laboratory for Humanitarian Research at Yale’s School of Public Health examined satellite photos and found “puddles of blood” visible from space. Analysts noted dark streaks and piles of bodies near hospitals and along avenues.
Images of a closed hospital taken on 27 October show elongated dark objects likely bodies; a 28 October image shows them grouped at the entrance, interpreted as mass execution casualties. Other hospitals show white clusters resembling corpses.
Human Cost: Thousands of Civilian Deaths
Local media report at least two thousand people killed. Rebel and militia sources claim dozens of victims died in recent weeks, some only days earlier. The death toll could rise as the conflict flanks humanitarian access.
Context: Sudan’s Prolonged Conflict and RSF’s Role
The war in Sudan, involving the government army and the RSF, has continued for more than two years. RSF’s roots lie in Darfur militias used by the regime against rebels and civilians; similar atrocities occurred two decades prior. The United States has described these actions as genocide.
Since 2023, the RSF has fought for control of the country. At least 150 000 have died, 12 million displaced, and 25 million starved due to fighting.
International Criticism and Alleged Foreign Support
RSF is accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide of non‑Arab minorities in Darfur. The United Arab Emirates and other states allegedly supply the militia with advanced Chinese drones, firearms, rifles, heavy machine guns, armored vehicles, artillery, mortar ammunition, and even British weapons.
Poland’s International Aid Centre has been providing humanitarian aid to southern Sudan, with potential support for neighbouring Sudan witnessing similar crises.
