In Al‑Fashir, Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces seized the city after 500 days of siege, sparking reports of large‑scale civilian killings confirmed by satellite images revealing blood‑stained scenes.
Al‑Fashir Massacre
Al‑Fashir, home to about 260,000 residents, had been under siege for more than 500 days, leaving many civilians starved and desperate. The city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after government troops withdrew, trapping an estimated 200,000 people. Reports emerged of a sudden wave of violence and mass killings following the takeover.
RSF Takeover and Civilian Accounts
Witnesses, such as Hayat Yaqoub Hussein, recounted RSF troops storming the city in armored vehicles and firing machine guns. Her 17‑year‑old son was killed by a mortar round, and her husband was wounded and never seen again. Residents say that men—including up to 2,000—were separated from women and children and were not allowed to leave the city.
Satellite Evidence of Killings
Yale’s Humanitarian Research Laboratory examined satellite images of Al‑Fashir and identified dark lines, white bags, and blood‑stained patches suggestive of mass executions. One image of a abandoned hospital shows a “line of dark objects” that analysts believe are bodies. The visual evidence supports claims of widespread civilian deaths.
Historical Context of the Conflict
The Sudanese civil war now exceeds two years, with the RSF, an offshoot of the presidential guard, battling government forces. The conflict stems from the 1990s Darfur crisis, during which the RSF was accused of genocide. Official estimates count at least 150,000 dead, while 12 million people have fled their homes.
International Support and Allegations
Sources allege that the United States and the United Arab Emirates have supplied the RSF with advanced weapons, including Chinese drones, while the United Kingdom has provided firearms and ammunition. These deliveries have fueled accusations that the RSF is committing ethnic cleansing and genocide against non‑Arab minorities in Darfur.
