UN Report Reveals Over 6,000 Killed in Sudan’s El-Fasher Assault

A recent report from the United Nations indicates that more than 6,000 people were killed within a matter of days during an assault by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the city of el-Fasher last year. This violence unfolded as RSF fighters targeted civilians seeking refuge, leading to a humanitarian crisis that continues to escalate.

Witnesses recounted harrowing experiences, describing the scene as reminiscent of a horror film. One individual recalled witnessing bodies being thrown into the air as RSF fighters opened fire on approximately 1,000 people who had taken shelter in a university building in October 2022. The UN’s findings document numerous human rights violations, including mass killings, summary executions, torture, abductions, and sexual violence, all of which constitute war crimes and potentially crimes against humanity.

The RSF has not issued a formal response to the UN report, but the group has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing. These latest revelations echo similar abuses recorded in earlier RSF offensives, underscoring the persistent cycle of violence in Sudan.

Sudan remains embroiled in a power struggle that has lasted nearly three years, pitting the RSF against the regular army. The ongoing civil war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 13 million people from their homes. Notably, widespread sexual violence has been employed as a weapon of war, affecting men, women, and children alike.

International organizations, including the United States and Human Rights Watch, have accused the RSF and its allies of conducting genocide against the Massalit people and other non-Arab communities in the western Darfur region. However, the latest UN reports have refrained from labeling these actions as genocide.

Details from the UN Report

The UN Human Rights Office gathered testimonies from over 140 victims and witnesses in Sudan’s Northern state and eastern Chad in late 2025. During the initial days of the RSF’s offensive on el-Fasher, the UN estimates that “at least 4,400 people were killed” within the city, with “over 1,600 others killed along escape routes.” The report states that the actual death toll from the week-long assault is likely much higher.

Volker Türk, the UN Human Rights Chief, has reiterated calls for all parties involved in the conflict to halt the grave violations carried out by forces under their command. As international scrutiny intensifies, there have been increasing demands for those supporting the conflict to disengage.

The United Arab Emirates has denied allegations that it is the primary supplier of arms to RSF fighters. Last week, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on six individuals it identified as perpetrators of the conflict, including senior commanders from the army and the RSF, as well as three foreign nationals linked to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries for the RSF. In Parliament, UK lawmakers voiced concerns following UN claims that UK-sold weapons to the UAE had been resold to the RSF. Responding to these allegations, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the UK’s stringent controls on arms exports.

Future Implications

A coalition associated with the RSF, known as the Sudan Founding Alliance, has announced plans to establish a rival Sudanese government based in western Sudan. The African Union has rejected these plans, warning that such a move could jeopardize any potential for national unity.

As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, the international community remains vigilant. The UN’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.