UN Reports Mass Killing of Civilians in Sudan Camp During RSF Assault

The United Nations has accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces of killing around one thousand civilians during a brutal three day assault on the Zamzam displacement camp in April, describing the violence as among the worst atrocities recorded since the conflict began.

In a report released this week, UN investigators detailed what they called a coordinated and deliberate attack on the camp, which shelters tens of thousands of people who fled earlier fighting in Darfur. According to the findings, civilians were subjected to mass executions, widespread sexual violence and systematic terror as RSF fighters moved through the camp over several days.

Witness testimonies collected by the UN describe armed men going door to door, dragging people from shelters and shooting them at close range. Survivors said bodies were left in open areas as a warning to others, while families were often forced to watch the killings of relatives. Many victims were women, children and elderly people with no connection to armed groups.

The report also documents numerous cases of gang rape and other forms of sexual violence, often carried out in public or in front of family members. UN officials said the scale and brutality of these acts point to serious violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Zamzam camp, located near the city of El Fasher in North Darfur, has long been a refuge for people displaced by previous waves of violence. Aid agencies say the camp was already severely overstretched before the April attack, with limited food, medical supplies and shelter. The assault forced thousands more to flee again, many into areas with no access to humanitarian assistance.

The UN said the three day attack appeared to be part of a broader pattern of violence by the RSF and allied militias targeting civilian populations in Darfur. Investigators noted similarities with earlier incidents, including the use of ethnic targeting, looting and the destruction of homes and clinics.

Sudan has been locked in a devastating power struggle since April last year, when fighting erupted between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces. The conflict has displaced millions and plunged large parts of the country into humanitarian crisis. Darfur has been particularly hard hit, reviving memories of the atrocities that scarred the region two decades ago.

Human rights groups say accountability remains a major challenge. Despite mounting evidence of abuses, perpetrators on all sides continue to operate with near total impunity. The UN report renewed calls for stronger international action, including sanctions, arms embargo enforcement and support for investigations by international courts.

RSF leaders have previously denied targeting civilians, claiming their forces are engaged in legitimate military operations. However, the UN said the consistency of survivor accounts and supporting evidence leaves little doubt about the nature of the attack on Zamzam camp.

As Sudan’s war drags on, aid agencies warn that without immediate protection for civilians and unhindered humanitarian access, similar atrocities are likely to continue. The UN urged the international community not to look away, stressing that the scale of suffering demands urgent and sustained response.