At least 1,500 civilians have been killed in the city of el-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region over the past three days, according to the Sudan Doctors Network, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the area during the ongoing civil war.
Residents who escaped describe widespread killings, targeted executions, and attacks on hospitals. Human rights monitors say the violence amounts to “a true genocide.” People attempting to flee the city were reportedly shot, and entire neighborhoods were burned and emptied.
Satellite images analyzed by Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab show evidence of mass casualties, including clusters of bodies and large areas stained with blood. Sudan’s government says the death toll may be even higher, reporting at least 2,000 deaths since the RSF takeover. Aid groups confirm house-to-house raids, attacks on civilians trapped on escape routes, and reports of sexual violence against women and girls.
Hospitals have also come under attack. One of the most severe incidents occurred at the Saudi Maternity Hospital, where survivors say hundreds of people had taken shelter. Videos shared online show RSF fighters firing at civilians inside the building. The World Health Organization says more than 460 people died during the hospital assault, calling the situation “deeply shocking.”
Regional governments have expressed concern. Saudi Arabia called for respect for civilian lives, Egypt appealed for a humanitarian ceasefire, and Turkiye urged safe corridors for aid. Qatar also condemned the violence and asked for immediate peace talks.
The RSF traces its origins to the Janjaweed militias accused of genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s. The United States has previously accused the group of committing genocide in the current conflict as well.
Experts warn that what is unfolding in el-Fasher may be one of the deadliest episodes of violence in Sudan’s modern history. Analysts link the conflict to failed attempts to integrate the RSF into the Sudanese army, alongside the struggle for control of strategic areas and natural resources.
