El Fasher — In one of the most devastating civilian tragedies in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, more than 1,500 people were reportedly massacred during a 72-hour assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur. The April attack has now come to light through detailed investigations, painting a chilling portrait of war crimes, forced displacement, and targeted violence.
Survivors and humanitarian observers described a scene of chaos and terror as RSF forces stormed the camp between April 11 and 14. Makeshift homes were torched, medical stations were looted, and terrified civilians were shot in their shelters or gunned down while trying to flee. Local sources estimate the true death toll may exceed 2,000, with hundreds still missing and feared buried in mass graves.
The Zamzam camp, once a fragile refuge for more than 500,000 displaced people, became a battleground overnight. Women and children reportedly faced some of the worst atrocities, including abductions and sexual violence. Aid organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), were forced to suspend operations, citing security threats and the overwhelming scale of casualties.
Images emerging from the site show burned-out structures, abandoned tents, and overcrowded MSF field units struggling to treat survivors. The humanitarian infrastructure, already weakened by years of instability and sanctions, collapsed under the weight of the violence.
International legal experts warn that the RSF’s actions in Zamzam echo earlier patterns of genocide and war crimes witnessed during the 2003 Darfur conflict. The International Criminal Court has confirmed it is examining evidence that may constitute crimes against humanity, although no indictments have been issued yet.
Despite the enormity of the massacre, global diplomatic reaction remains muted. The United Nations has yet to release a formal statement on the incident. Regional peace efforts continue in parallel, but the situation on the ground grows increasingly dire as thousands remain cut off from aid and medical support.
What distinguishes the Zamzam massacre is not only the staggering number of dead, but also the methodical manner in which the killings occurred. Satellite imagery and eyewitness reports suggest that RSF fighters operated with a clear strategy — targeting key infrastructure, blocking escape routes, and executing survivors.
According to The Guardian, which published a detailed investigation on August 7, satellite evidence and interviews with survivors confirm that RSF forces launched a coordinated and deliberate campaign of violence against civilians. Humanitarian groups corroborated the report’s findings, describing the incident as one of the most “systematic and brutal” attacks in Sudan’s recent history.
