Hundreds massacred in militia rampage at camps in North Darfur
Global fury after deadly assault on camps near El Fasher
Hundreds of civilians were killed or injured in attacks carried out by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, between Thursday and Sunday.
The assaults on the Zamzam and Abu Shok camps, which also resulted in the deaths of nine aid workers, have ignited widespread international condemnation and renewed calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the country's ongoing conflict.
The recent attacks mark a significant escalation in the violence affecting IDP camps since the outbreak of the new civil war in April 2023. The conflict pits the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), headed by Abdelfattah Al Burhan.
Sudan War Monitor geolocated videos, filmed by RSF fighters, to the center of Zamzam camp, showing numerous civilian bodies on the ground. In one video, RSF soldiers are seen near nine corpses, referring to the camp as a “Zamzam military base.”
In the video, one RSF fighter, while being filmed, stated that the paramilitary group would kill civilians “like that,” gesturing to the bodies. He identified the deceased as “falangayat” [a political term now used by the RSF as an ethnic slur] and specified the date as April 11, 2025, while claiming to be inside the “Zamzam military base.”
Another video, also filmed on April 11 within Zamzam camp, shows unidentified RSF fighters interrogating elderly men. The fighters are seen demanding information about the direction in which suspected Joint Forces fighters fled and the location of an alleged Joint Force camp within Zamzam, threatening the men with death if they do not comply. The RSF has consistently asserted that the Zamzam and Abu Shok camps, along with others around El Fasher, harbor military bases belonging to the Joint Force of the Armed Struggle Movements (JSAMF).
This coalition of former Darfur rebel groups primarily comprises the Sudan Liberation Army, led by Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minnawi, and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), led by Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim.
In one video, RSF fighters are heard questioning individuals:
“Look [at the camera], where have these people [Joint Force] gone? These people are living with you, where have they gone? In which direction did they ran to? Where did the movements ran to? Tell the truth, if you don’t tell the truth we will shoot you. Tell the truth where the [military] garrison is based?”
The fighters then instructed the men to enter a hut, apparently for further interrogation. Another video shows RSF fighters separating and executing an older men wearing a white jalabiya (traditional garment worn by men).
The coordination of El Fasher resistance committees said the total number of those who died or who were wounded since Thursday (as of Saturday evening) amounts to at least 320, including both identified victims and bodies that have not been identified.
“The preliminary toll of victims from yesterday's attacks on the Zamzam IDP camp, which has been recorded so far, includes other victims whose identities have not yet been confirmed, along with a very large number of wounded. On the other hand, the victims from the city of El Fasher and Abu Shouk camp bring the total number of victims recorded as of today to more than 320, including both the dead and the injured,” the committee said in a statement.
In a statement, the RSF claimed to have taken control of the camp and deployed armed units to protect civilians and humanitarian workers. The paramilitary group denied targeting civilians, labeling the allegations as “propaganda” and asserting that the camp had been transformed into a military operational base by former Darfur rebels allied with the SAF.
The RSF statement read:
“The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have deployed military units to secure civilians and humanitarian medical personnel in Zamzam Camp, in North Darfur State, following the successful liberation of the camp from the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allies from the Islamic Terrorist Movement and affiliated armed mercenary movements that used the camp as a military barracks, and innocent civilians as human shields.”
“The RSF categorically rejects the false allegations that its members targeted civilians within Zamzam Camp and calls for accuracy and reliability in the reporting and assessment of events.”
“We point out that the so-called 'Joint Force' and elements of affiliated mercenary movements have continued to use Zamzam Camp as a military base, deliberately exploiting innocent civilians as human shields, in a clear and blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”
“The RSF leadership affirms that certain parties have been actively spreading falsehoods and slander as part of a coordinated media campaign orchestrated by the co-opted army by Islamic Movement which aims at distorting the image of the RSF and undermine its reputation before the Sudanese public, as well as regional and international communities.”
“We recall that the Founding Alliance Forces conducted organized, voluntary evacuations of a large number of families from the city of El Fasher and the surrounding camps to safer and more stable areas and ensure the protection of civilians, where the Alliance provides essential shelter and security in coordination with humanitarian organizations.”
“The RSF welcomes all relief organizations and agencies that have expressed their willingness to respond immediately to the dire humanitarian needs of those fleeing the conflict.”
“We reiterate our full commitment to international humanitarian law and our forces’ firm dedication to protecting civilians and avoiding any actions that could impact civil infrastructure, including health centers.”
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Minnawi sent his condolences to those killed in the Zamzam camp. He asserted that the evidence of the RSF's actions was sufficient for such a designation by the international community.
“Our sincere condolences go out to the families of the innocent people in Zamzam camp, as well as to the workers of Relief International, who are dedicated to helping the people of Sudan, especially in Darfur and particularly in Zamzam camp. Nine innocent workers were treacherously executed in cold blood by the Janjaweed while they were carrying out their volunteer work in Zamzam camp. RSF should be designated as terrorist organization, the evidence are enough. No thing remains to be searched,” he wrote.
Zamzam camp, located 15 kilometers south of El Fasher, has been a significant sanctuary for IDPs in the volatile region, particularly those displaced by the 2003-2020 Darfur conflict, during which the Sudanese army and allied Janjaweed militias are accused of massacring hundreds of thousands of civilians of African origin.
While Zamzam is situated south of El Fasher, behind RSF frontlines, Abu Shouk IDP Camp is located north of the city, in an area controlled by the SAF. Abu Shouk, established between 2003 and 2004, has frequently been targeted by drones and heavy artillery. As of January 2025, it housed at least 190,000 people across 38,000 households, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Global outcry
The attacks have triggered widespread international condemnation and renewed demands for the RSF to halt its assaults on El Fasher, the only major city in Darfur still hosting a Sudanese army division, the 6th Infantry Division.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement today strongly condemning the killings of civilians. He highlighted the devastating impact on civilians and humanitarian workers, expressing deep concern over the violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and humanitarian personnel.
Guterres' emphasized that “attacks directed against civilians and indiscriminate attacks are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Humanitarian relief personnel and medical personnel must be respected and protected. The perpetrators of these attacks must be brought to justice. Safe, unhindered and sustained access to the area, including the Zamzam camp, is urgently needed. Civilians who want to leave must be allowed to do so safely. With the second anniversary of the conflict approaching next week, the Secretary-General urges the parties to immediately cease the fighting and take steps towards an inclusive political process to put Sudan on a path towards peace and stability. The Secretary-General renews his call for the international community to unite in its efforts to bring an end to this appalling conflict.”
The United States Bureau of African Affairs also condemned the attacks and called on all parties to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, urging the opening of humanitarian corridors for aid delivery and the safe passage of civilians fleeing violence.
“The U.S. is deeply alarmed by reports of attacks by the RSF on Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps outside El Fasher, North Darfur. We condemn the RSF's attacks on the most vulnerable of civilians, including the killings of 9 U.S.-funded relief workers providing critical life-saving assistance. We urge the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers. We also call for opening humanitarian corridors to enable humanitarian access and the safe passage of civilians fleeing violence. The belligerents must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and must be held accountable,” the bureau stated.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the reports from El Fasher as “shocking” and called on all parties to the conflict to commit to the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
“Shocking reports are emerging from El Fasher, Darfur, where indiscriminate RSF attacks have killed civilians, including aid workers. This gives added urgency to Tuesday's Sudan Conference in London with international partners. All sides must commit to protection of civilians,” Lammy wrote on X.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also condemned the attacks and expressed its condolences to the “brotherly” people of Sudan, emphasizing the imperative of refraining from any aggression against humanitarian workers.
“The Arab Republic of Egypt condemns the attacks on the Zamzam camp for displaced persons in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, and denounces the grave violations of international humanitarian law that resulted in the killing of Sudanese civilians and a number of staff members of the international relief organization. Egypt emphasizes the imperative of refraining from any form of aggression against humanitarian workers and extends its sincere condolences to the brotherly Sudanese people and the families of the victims,” the Egyptian statement read.
Saudi Arabia issued a similar condemnation, denouncing the attacks on the IDP camps around El Fasher.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the attacks on camps for displaced persons around the city of El Fasher (Zamzam and Abu Shouk), which resulted in the killing and wounding of many people, in violation of international law and international humanitarian law,” the Saudi foreign ministry stated.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also condemned the attacks, describing them as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law” and calling on all parties to take immediate measures to protect civilians.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned all acts of violence against humanitarian workers who dedicate their lives to serving those in need. [We] emphasize that targeting relief personnel constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which ensures the protection of medical workers and relief teams,” the UAE's statement said.
Videos
⚠️ The following videos depict various kinds of graphic violence. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
In the video below, RSF fighters could be seen threatening elderly men who did not flee the camp with death, and forcing them into a mosque.
In the following video, RSF fighters could be seen intercepting civilians fleeing from the Zamzam camp toward the direction of El Fasher town before carrying out executions.
RSF fighters, in the following video, are seen making threatens of continued killing of civilians, and describing Zamzam IDP camp as a military base.
In the video below, volunteers at Abu Shok camp could be seen collecting bodies of the victims of the RSF attack for burial.
In the video below, moments after the beginning of the RSF attack on Zamzam camp on April 12, 2025, are captured.
In the photos below, victims of RSF fighters are seen as they are being prepared for burial.
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Sudan War Monitor is an open source intelligence (OSINT) and journalism project documenting the events of Sudan’s civil war, human rights violations, the humanitarian situation, and peace initiatives. Subscribe to support independent media in a context of repression and continuous violations against the free press. We are independent and not affiliated with any of the warring parties.
Its a good thing that UAE condemns too, would be better if they stopped arming rsf…