Urgent: Mass Killings Confirmed After RSF Captures El Fasher
UPDATE: Reports confirm a devastating escalation in Sudan’s civil war as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have captured the critical city of El Fasher, leading to horrific mass killings. Witness accounts reveal that RSF fighters executed civilians as thousands fled the city, marking a grim turning point in the conflict.
The RSF’s takeover of El Fasher, the last stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Western Darfur, has triggered widespread chaos. October 30, 2023 marks a day of terror, with the Sudan Doctors Network reporting at least 1,500 deaths in the initial violence. Survivors describe the scene as a “true genocide,” with atrocities continuing as civilians attempt to escape.
During an emergency meeting, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, the United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Africa, expressed grave concern, stating, “There is no safe passage for civilians to leave,” as reports of mass killings and human rights violations flood in from the besieged city.
According to Pobee, the implications of El Fasher’s fall are “profound,” as the conflict’s territorial scope expands to include drone strikes targeting new areas across Blue Nile and South Kordofan. The risk of ethnically targeted violence and further humanitarian law violations is alarmingly high.
Eyewitnesses recount horrific scenes as RSF fighters conducted house-to-house searches, shooting indiscriminately. One survivor, Tajal-Rahman, described it vividly: “It was like a killing field. Bodies everywhere and people bleeding—no one to help them.”
Reports indicate that one of the worst atrocities occurred at the Saudi Hospital, where gunmen abducted medical staff and murdered at least 460 individuals in a series of attacks. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that six medical personnel remain missing, and the situation is dire as survivors recount their stories.
As humanitarian conditions worsen, Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian chief, warned that “tens of thousands of terrified, starving civilians have fled or are on the move.” Women and children face extreme dangers, including extortion and violence, as they attempt to escape the chaos.
The RSF, a militia with roots in the notorious Janjaweed forces, has been accused of committing genocide against non-Arab ethnic groups throughout Sudan. With control over all major urban centers in Darfur, the RSF’s actions are prompting urgent calls from U.S. lawmakers to designate the group as a terrorist organization.
Senator Jim Risch stated, “The horrors in Darfur’s El-Fasher were no accident — they were the RSF’s plan all along,” highlighting the bipartisan concern over the situation. Lawmakers are urging a strong response from the U.S. government, including potential sanctions against the RSF and its backers, including the United Arab Emirates.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the United Nations estimates that over half of Sudan’s population—approximately 25 million people—are in dire need of assistance. Nearly three million displaced individuals have sought refuge in neighboring countries, further complicating the situation.
The world watches closely as the situation in Sudan deteriorates rapidly. The immediate focus is on the safety of civilians in El Fasher and the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further atrocities. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
