Sudanese Paramilitary RSF Accused of War Crimes in el — Fasher by UN. El-Fasher, Sudan — The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused by the United Nations of committing war crimes and a possible crime against humanity during their takeover of Sudan’s western city of el-Fasher in October 2025.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report on Friday stating that there are reasonable grounds to believe the RSF and allied armed groups committed acts that amount to war crimes, including murder, attacks on civilians, sexual violence, torture, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
The RSF took control of el — Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, following the withdrawal of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in October 2025. This came after an 18-month siege that left the city cut off from essential supplies, raising concerns about mass starvation. Tens of thousands of residents fled the city, with many describing widespread violence during their exodus.
According to the UN report, which is based on interviews with over 140 victims and witnesses, the RSF is accused of the mass killing of hundreds of people at an El Fasher University dormitory, Al-Rashid. Survivors reported that RSF fighters besieged the building, which was sheltering about 1,000 civilians, and opened fire with heavy weapons, resulting in about 500 deaths and many wounded.
The report also documents several instances of summary executions, including the killing of civilians accused of collaborating with the SAF and allied groups.
In one case, RSF fighters are reported to have rounded up about 300 young men and executed them systematically. Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, called for credible and impartial investigations into the events in el-Fasher, emphasizing the need for accountability through all available means, including Sudanese courts, third states, or at the International Criminal Court. Turk also urged all parties to the conflict in Sudan to end human rights violations and called on third countries with influence to take action to prevent further atrocities.
Deadly violence has continued in several regions of Sudan, with a Sudanese doctors’ group reporting that at least two children were killed in an RSF drone attack on a mosque in North Kordofan state this week. Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates of providing military and financial support to the RSF, a claim that Abu Dhabi has denied. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
