UN Report Accuses Rapid Support Forces of War Crimes in El Fasher Offensive

The United Nations Human Rights Office has accused Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militias of unleashing "a wave of intense violence… shocking in its scale and brutality" during their final offensive to seize the besieged city of El Fasher last October, committing widespread atrocities that may amount to war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.

In a report published Friday, the UN Human Rights Office documented more than 6,000 killings in the first three days of the assault, following 18 months of sustained siege and bombardment of the city.

According to the report, at least 4,400 people were killed inside El Fasher during those days, with more than 1,600 others killed along escape routes as civilians fled. The UN warned that the true death toll from the week-long offensive is likely far higher.

Mass Killings, Sexual Violence and Abductions

Based on interviews with more than 140 victims and witnesses conducted in Sudan's Northern State and eastern Chad in late 2025, investigators detailed a pattern of grave violations committed by RSF forces and allied militias.

These included:

• Mass killings and summary executions

• Systematic sexual violence, including rape and gang rape

• Abductions for ransom

• Torture and ill-treatment

• Arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances

• Pillage and destruction of civilian property

• Conscription and use of children in hostilities

The report found that attacks were frequently directed at civilians or persons hors de combat, often on the basis of ethnicity or perceived affiliation.

"Persistent Impunity Fuels Cycles of Violence"

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the scale of atrocities and called for urgent accountability.

"The wanton violations that were perpetrated by the RSF and allied Arab militia… underscore that persistent impunity fuels continued cycles of violence," Türk said.

"There must be credible and impartial investigations to establish criminal responsibility, including of commanders and other superiors."

He stressed that accountability must be pursued through all available mechanisms, including Sudanese courts, universal jurisdiction abroad, or the International Criminal Court.

Reasonable Grounds for War Crimes

The UN Human Rights Office said there are reasonable grounds to believe RSF forces committed war crimes including:

• Murder and indiscriminate attacks

• Targeting civilians and civilian objects

• Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare

• Attacks against medical and humanitarian personnel

• Sexual violence, torture and cruel treatment

• Pillage

• Recruitment and use of children in combat

The report noted that these abuses mirror earlier RSF offensives in Zamzam camp in April 2025 and in El Geneina and Ardamata in 2023, suggesting an organized and sustained campaign of violence against civilians in Darfur.

Taken together, the UN said, these patterns may constitute crimes against humanity.

Targeting of Civilians and Ethnic Communities

The report documented multiple incidents where civilians were attacked in locations where large crowds had gathered, apparently to inflict maximum harm.

Witnesses described one incident on 26 October at El Fasher University, where around 500 people were killed after RSF fighters opened fire with heavy weapons on more than 1,000 civilians sheltering at the Al-Rashid dormitory.

One witness said bodies were thrown into the air "like a scene out of a horror movie."

RSF fighters were also reported to have carried out summary executions of civilians accused of collaborating with the Sudanese Armed Forces, often based on their non-Arab ethnicity, including members of the Zaghawa community. Men and adolescent boys under 50 were particularly targeted.

Sexual Violence Used as a Weapon of War

Türk said survivors provided direct testimony illustrating how sexual violence was systematically used as a weapon of war.

Accounts included rape, gang rape, sexual assault during invasive searches, and abductions involving sexual violence. Women and girls from non-Arab communities were reported to be at heightened risk.

Detention Sites and Thousands Missing

The report also detailed widespread abductions for ransom as civilians fled El Fasher, with consistent evidence of detention for financial gain.

Investigators documented 10 detention facilities used by the RSF, where conditions were severely inadequate, leading to disease outbreaks and deaths in custody.

One facility included the Children's Hospital, which was reportedly converted into a detention centre.

Thousands of people remain missing and unaccounted for.

Calls for Arms Embargo Enforcement and Ceasefire

The UN Human Rights Chief renewed calls on all parties to the conflict to halt violations and urged states with influence to prevent further atrocities.

"This includes respecting the arms embargo already in place, and ending the supply, sale or transfer of arms or military material to the parties," Türk said.

He also urged stronger support for mediation efforts aimed at achieving a cessation of hostilities and a pathway toward inclusive civilian governance.

"In a protection crisis of this scale, human rights must remain central to efforts to achieve a durable resolution of the conflict," Türk said.