More than 400 people have been killed in recent assaults by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s Darfur region, according to verified reports. The deadly violence is part of a broader offensive by the RSF to capture El-Fasher, the last remaining state capital in Darfur still held by the Sudanese army.
The attacks, which intensified last week, targeted refugee camps around El-Fasher, including Zamzam and Abu Shouk. These camps host over 700,000 internally displaced people, many of whom are already enduring famine-like conditions. Ground and aerial strikes devastated the areas, causing widespread casualties and further displacement. At least nine humanitarian aid workers are confirmed to be among the dead.
Though initial verified figures from Thursday to Saturday accounted for 148 deaths, observers warn the actual toll is far higher, with ongoing violence and communication challenges impeding a complete count. Sunday’s fatalities have not yet been included in the official tally.
The RSF and the Sudanese army have been engaged in a brutal power struggle since April 2023, plunging the country into chaos. What began as a rivalry between two factions has spiraled into a devastating civil war that has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Millions have been displaced, and infrastructure in key regions has been destroyed or rendered inoperable.
In the wake of the recent violence, the RSF issued a statement denying responsibility for civilian deaths in Zamzam, claiming that footage of the killings had been staged to tarnish its reputation. The group later announced it had successfully “liberated” the area from army control, accusing the military of using the camp as a base and civilians as human shields.
El-Fasher has now become a focal point in the conflict. The city has been under siege for over a year and stands as the last major town in Darfur still controlled by the Sudanese army. Its fall would mark a significant turning point in the war, potentially giving the RSF full control over Darfur.
As the war nears its third year, there is growing international pressure to end the conflict. Global leaders have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a renewed commitment to peace talks. Human rights organizations continue to document grave violations by both sides, including extrajudicial killings, forced displacement, and attacks on humanitarian personnel.
The urgency of the crisis is drawing international attention ahead of a major donor conference in London to mark the two-year anniversary of the war. The UK has pledged £120 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan, highlighting the severity of the situation and the risk it poses to regional and global stability.
The conference, co-hosted by the UK, African Union, and European Union, aims to galvanize global support and coordinate relief efforts. There is hope that international engagement will help de-escalate the conflict and pave the way for a political solution.
In the meantime, those trapped in Darfur face an increasingly dire situation. With essential supplies dwindling and aid agencies struggling to operate safely, the threat of famine looms large. The violence in and around El-Fasher is not only a military escalation but also a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in real-time.
The international community faces a critical test in its ability to respond swiftly and effectively to one of the world’s most urgent crises.
