RSF militia Accused of Mass Killings in El Fasher, Sudan, as evidence of Brutal Massacre Mounts
El Fasher, Sudan - A harrowing investigation by BBC Verify and analysis of satellite imagery reveals evidence of a systematic massacre carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in El Fasher, Sudan, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 2,000 people. The killings,which began in mid-October,targeted primarily members of the Masalit ethnic group and their allies,escalating a brutal conflict within the already war-torn Darfur region. The atrocities underscore a deepening humanitarian crisis and raise urgent questions about accountability for war crimes.
The escalating violence in El Fasher, a city already grappling with the effects of a wider conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army, represents a catastrophic turning point. The targeted killings, coupled with evidence of attempts to conceal mass graves, signal a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing. This massacre threatens to further destabilize the region, exacerbate existing tensions, and potentially ignite wider ethnic conflict, demanding immediate international attention and a robust response to prevent further atrocities.
Evidence gathered by BBC Verify, including eyewitness accounts and meticulously documented footage, points to a coordinated campaign of violence led by RSF commander Abu Lulu. A Yale University analyst has accused the RSF of attempting to “purge their alleged mass crimes,” a claim supported by satellite imagery showing the removal of objects resembling human bodies from a location near an RSF base. Further imagery identified potential graves near the children’s hospital in El fasher.
On October 30, BBC Verify measured a white object within the hospital grounds to be between 1.6 and 2 meters in length – consistent with the size of a body wrapped in a shroud, a common practice in Sudanese burials. This revelation, alongside reports of widespread killings, paints a grim picture of the situation on the ground.
The RSF has actively worked to control the narrative surrounding the events in El fasher.While sharing footage on their official Telegram account depicting Abu Lulu being led into a prison cell, seemingly indicating an arrest, the group simultaneously launched a social media campaign showcasing aid distribution and portraying humane treatment of prisoners of war. However, these efforts have failed to quell the growing international outrage.
Despite repeated requests from BBC Verify for comment, the RSF has remained silent regarding the allegations. The investigation was supported by contributions from kevin Nguyen, Kumar malhotra, Richard Irvine-Brown, Daniele Palumbo, Alex Murray, Barbara Metzler, Lamees Altalebi, and Ahmed Nour, with graphics provided by Jess Carr and Mesut Ersoz.
