A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan’s Darfur region, where thousands of civilians remain unaccounted for following the takeover of the North Darfur capital, el-Fasher, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Survivors describe atrocities, including mass killings, sexual violence, and the systematic targeting of families attempting to flee the city.

El-Fasher Falls After 18-Month Siege

El-Fasher, once the final stronghold of the Sudanese army in North Darfur, succumbed to RSF control on Sunday after enduring a grueling 18-month blockade. What followed was a rapid escalation in violence and fear. Aid agencies and the United Nations report mounting evidence of war crimes and human rights abuses committed by the paramilitary group, raising urgent alarms worldwide.

Survivors Speak: ‘They Killed the Rest’

Hundreds of civilians fled el-Fasher in the wake of the RSF occupation, embarking on dangerous journeys to nearby towns like Tawila, located just 50 kilometers away. Testimonies from survivors are harrowing.

One young man, Alkheir Ismail, recalled how his group of 300 escapees was ambushed by RSF fighters. His life was spared only due to a chance encounter with an old acquaintance among the captors.

“They killed the rest. The youths, my friends, were not spared,” he recounted.

Women and children were not exempt from abuse. Tahani Hassan, one of the displaced, described being assaulted and humiliated by RSF soldiers:

“They hit us hard. Even I, as a woman, was searched. They took everything we owned.”

Fatima Abdulrahim, who fled with her grandchildren, said she walked for five days under brutal conditions. Others in her group faced sexual violence, adding to the widespread trauma.

Mass Rapes, Ransoms, and Blocked Exits

Aid organizations report that RSF fighters are separating civilians at checkpoints based on gender, age, or tribal identity. Many are held for ransom, with payments ranging from 5 million to 30 million Sudanese pounds (about $8,000–$50,000 USD). Those unable to pay are killed or left behind.

According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), of the 70 children under age five who arrived in Tawila on October 27, every single one was severely malnourished. MSF’s emergency director Michel Olivier Lacharite stated:

“The most likely answer is that they are being killed, blocked, and hunted down when trying to flee.”

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has also verified reports of gang rapes and public executions, including the murder of at least 460 people at el-Fasher’s maternity hospital on October 29.

RSF Denials and International Doubts

RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo claimed he has ordered fighters to protect civilians, saying abuses will be investigated. However, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher cast doubt on RSF’s willingness to hold violators accountable, calling for urgent international intervention.

Spreading Violence into Kordofan

The violence is spreading beyond Darfur. In the adjacent state of North Kordofan, more than 36,000 people have fled the town of Bara after RSF advances. The UN also reported the summary execution of five Red Crescent volunteers during the RSF capture of the locality.

Human rights advocates fear Bara could be the next el-Fasher as RSF fighters close in on the region’s capital, el-Obeid.

A Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

Since the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023, the country has spiraled into one of the world’s greatest humanitarian disasters. With over 14 million displaced and tens of thousands dead, cholera outbreaks and famine continue to take lives daily.

As reports of rape, torture, and mass killings multiply, humanitarian groups are pleading with international powers such as the U.S., Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt to pressure both sides into ending the conflict and protecting civilians.