Sudan’s Nightmare Deepens as RSF Seizes El-Fasher amid Reports of Mass Atrocities

Sudan’s civil war has taken a darker turn after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured El-Fasher, the army’s last major stronghold in Darfur.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has voiced deep alarm over reports of mass killings, sexual violence, and other atrocities, warning they could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC said it is urgently gathering evidence from the area, describing the violence as part of a broader pattern of brutality since the war began in April 2023.

The United Nations estimates that more than 65,000 residents have fled, while tens of thousands remain trapped without food, water, or medical aid.

Humanitarian groups warn that the crisis mirrors the Darfur genocide of the early 2000s, when the RSF’s predecessor, the Janjaweed militias, carried out ethnic massacres.

The current conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people, fueling one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

Foreign powers are also accused of deepening the conflict, with the UAE alleged to back the RSF and Egypt supporting the army. The International Committee of the Red Cross has urged nations with influence over both sides to act responsibly and protect civilians.