International Criminal Court Investigates Alleged Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced an investigation into potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in el-Fasher, Sudan, following events reported last month. Humanitarian officials have indicated concerns that over 2,000 individuals may have been killed.

Since 2023, the RSF has been engaged in a conflict with the Sudanese military after their ruling coalition dissolved. The fighting has reportedly resulted in over 150,000 fatalities in the past two years, with both factions facing numerous accusations of war crimes.

El-Fasher Siege and Blockade

For nearly two years, the RSF maintained a siege on el-Fasher, intensifying their position from August by constructing a large sand barrier, or berm, around the city. This action restricted access routes and inhibited aid deliveries. By early October, the barrier fully encircled the city, with an additional, smaller barricade around a nearby village.

Reports indicate 78 people were killed in an RSF attack on a mosque on September 19. The United Nations (UN) stated that 53 additional deaths occurred in drone and artillery strikes on a displacement camp in October. Videos reviewed by BBC Verify suggested RSF efforts to block food and essential supplies. Footage from October depicted an individual suspended by hands and feet, accused by the filmer of attempting to smuggle supplies into the besieged city.

Reports of Civilian Fatalities

On October 26, the RSF gained control of the city's main military base, the 6th Infantry Division headquarters, as the military withdrew. Personnel were filmed at the abandoned headquarters. Later that day, RSF commander Abdul Rahim Dagalo, brother of RSF chief Mohammad 'Hemedti' Dagalo, inspected the base.

The RSF, which originated from the Janjaweed militia implicated in fatalities in Darfur between 2003-2005, has faced accusations of committing atrocities against non-Arab communities across Sudan. Prior to the RSF's advance into el-Fasher, limited information had emerged from the city for months. Following the military's withdrawal, footage alleging atrocities by the RSF began circulating online.

One video analyzed by BBC Verify documented the aftermath of an event at a university building on the city's western side, showing multiple deceased individuals. The footage depicted an armed fighter firing at an elderly man among the bodies, causing him to collapse. Other soldiers reportedly noted another individual showing signs of life, with one stating, "Shoot him."

Satellite imagery from October 26, highlighted by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, indicated large "clusters" consistent with human bodies in the images, not present in previous analyses. The report also identified "discoloration" that may indicate human blood.

Eyewitness accounts provided to the BBC described witnessing "many of our relatives being killed" after being gathered in one location. Another witness recounted seeing a woman shot in the chest and her body discarded after her belongings were taken.

Reported Executions and Alleged Perpetrators

While a primary RSF force operated within el-Fasher, another group reportedly conducted executions of unarmed captives at a location approximately 8km (5 miles) from the city. Verified videos show multiple bodies in civilian attire, some appearing to be women, in a trench along the sand berm built by the RSF. Other clips displayed destruction, including fires and burnt-out vehicles with bodies scattered nearby.

An individual identified by BBC Verify as an RSF commander known as Abu Lulu online, was depicted in two videos executing unarmed captives. An eyewitness stated that this individual "gave an order to his men to kill several innocent people, including children." In one clip, an RSF soldier attempted to intervene as Abu Lulu prepared to execute an injured man. Abu Lulu reportedly dismissed the pleas, stating, "I will never have mercy. Our job is only killing," before firing multiple shots at the unarmed man. Another video depicted him killing a group of nine unarmed captives.

Many individuals involved in these events wore RSF badges, including a group filmed afterward acknowledging the events as a "genocide."

RSF Response and Investigations

In the days following these events, RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo acknowledged "violations" by his troops and stated that incidents would be investigated. A senior UN official reported last week that the RSF indicated the arrest of some suspects within their ranks, including Abu Lulu, following the BBC Verify report.

Footage posted on the RSF's official Telegram account showed Abu Lulu being taken to a prison outside el-Fasher. Yale analysts also suggested RSF actions to remove evidence, noting in a November 4 report that satellite images showed the removal of objects consistent with bodies from a location north of the RSF's berm. Graves were identified near the children's hospital in el-Fasher. White objects observed in the hospital courtyard on October 30, measured by BBC Verify between 1.6m and 2m in length, are consistent with the dimensions of an adult human body in a burial shroud.

Concurrently, the RSF and associated social media accounts disseminated posts showing fighters distributing aid to civilians and shared clips purporting to demonstrate humane treatment of army prisoners of war.