Sudan's El-Fasher: A City Under Siege and Satellite Evidence of Atrocities

El-Fasher Falls to RSF After 18-Month Siege

Sudan's western region of Darfur is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. El-Fasher, the last stronghold of the regular army, has fallen to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after an 18-month siege. The RSF, now in control of all five state capitals in Darfur, has been accused of committing mass killings, sexual violence, and other atrocities.

Disturbing Evidence of Mass Killings

Satellite images analyzed by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab reveal disturbing evidence of ongoing mass killings in and around El-Fasher. The images show no large-scale movement of people, suggesting that much of the population may be dead, captured, or in hiding. The lab identified at least 31 clusters of objects consistent with human bodies between Monday and Friday, across neighborhoods, university grounds, and military sites.

Harrowing Accounts from Survivors

The situation in El-Fasher is dire, with reports of summary executions, attacks on aid workers, looting, and abductions. Survivors who fled to the nearby town of Tawila have shared harrowing accounts of mass killings, children being shot before their parents, and civilians being beaten and robbed as they fled.

RSF Pledges Investigation, U.N. Expresses Skepticism

The RSF has pledged to investigate and hold accountable any fighters accused of abuses. However, the U.N. humanitarian chief has expressed skepticism about their commitment to doing so. The RSF has a history of being accused of war crimes, and the U.S. has previously determined that they committed genocide in Darfur.

Violence Spreads to Kordofan Region

The violence in Sudan is not contained to El-Fasher, with reports emerging of large-scale atrocities being perpetrated by the RSF in the neighboring Kordofan region. The situation is described as "apocalyptic" by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who also described it as the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world.

International Concern and Condemnation

The international community has expressed concern about the situation in Sudan. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper described the reported abuses as "truly horrifying." The U.N. has warned that the violence is spreading, and the situation in Sudan is becoming increasingly dire.