Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of executions.
Fighters laugh as they ride on the back of a pick-up truck, speeding past a row of nine dead bodies and driving towards the setting Sudanese sun. Look at all this work. Look at this genocide, one cheers. He smiles at the camera, flaunting his Rapid Support Forces (RSF) badge: They will all die like this. This celebration follows a horrific massacre that has reportedly claimed the lives of over 2,000 people in El-Fasher, a city targeted by the RSF amidst an ongoing war with the Sudanese military.
Over a two-year conflict, estimated casualties have reached 150,000, with both sides accused of war crimes. As the RSF has surrounded El-Fasher, humanitarian access has been severely restricted. Recent satellite images show construction of a massive berm around the city, effectively sealing it off.
On September 19, 78 people were killed in a mosque attack. Detailed reports and graphic evidence suggest the RSF is also using violence to enforce a blockade on food and essential supplies, with reports of brutal treatment of those attempting to smuggle in aid. The RSF's tactics include street-to-street combat and systematic executions, raising alarms about potential war crimes.
On October 26, the RSF overwhelmed remaining military forces, taking control of critical locations. Verified videos depict soldiers taking pride in their conquest while horrific actions against civilians unfold in just hours after the military's retreat. Eyewitnesses recount indiscriminate killings and assaults, verging on genocidal behaviors. The RSF's leader has admitted to violations, attempting to distance his command from the atrocities, yet video evidence continues to surface, showing unarmed civilians brutally executed.
In the aftermath, reports emerged of RSF attempting to cover up evidence of their crimes, including the removal of bodies in a bid to evade international scrutiny. Despite efforts to frame their actions as part of a humanitarian narrative, the reality reflects a dire humanitarian crisis that demands global attention and intervention.
As the world watches what unfolds in El-Fasher, calls for a robust international response to the RSF’s reign of terror grow louder amid fears of continuing genocidal acts against civilians in Sudan.
