The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan has reached one of its darkest points in modern history. Since April 2023, when open conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has witnessed widespread atrocities that have devastated cities, displaced millions, and left a deep scar on Sudanese society.

Reports from international agencies and human rights organizations, including the BBC, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, describe acts that range from extrajudicial killings and mass executions to ethnic cleansing and the targeting of civilians and medical facilities.

Sudan’s ongoing crisis is not just a civil war—it is a humanitarian catastrophe where civilians have become deliberate targets. This article explores in detail the crimes being committed in Sudan, their causes, their characteristics, and the global implications of these actions. At the end, you’ll find the source link for reference.

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Explanation

Background of the Conflict

The roots of Sudan’s current violence lie in a power struggle between two main military factions:

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti.”

Initially allies after the fall of former dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, their alliance collapsed as both leaders sought control of the country’s transition toward civilian rule. The conflict exploded into full-scale war in April 2023, with major battles breaking out in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Darfur.

Over the following months, the violence spread nationwide, with devastating effects on civilians. Communications were cut in several regions, foreign aid convoys were blocked, and entire cities—such as El Fasher—were besieged for months.

Nature of the Crimes

The atrocities in Sudan can be categorized as follows:

1. Mass Killings and Extrajudicial Executions

Witnesses and satellite imagery confirm mass graves and piles of corpses in cities like El Fasher, where residents were executed or shot while fleeing. Dozens of civilians were reportedly killed after the RSF took control following an 18-month siege.

(Ref: BBC Live Sudan Updates)

2. Indiscriminate Bombing and Shelling

Markets, schools, and hospitals have been struck by artillery fire and air raids. The Sabrin Market in Omdurman, for instance, was hit by shelling that killed at least 50 people and injured hundreds.

These bombings often occur in densely populated areas, revealing a disregard for civilian life and international humanitarian law.

3. Ethnic Cleansing in Darfur

In Darfur, the violence has taken on an ethnic dimension. Reports indicate that the RSF and allied militias have specifically targeted the Masalit and other non-Arab ethnic groups. Entire communities have been burned, with survivors describing massacres, rape, and forced displacement.

These crimes may meet the criteria of genocide under international law.

4. Starvation and Siege Warfare

In cities such as El Fasher, the RSF imposed sieges that cut off food, water, and medical supplies. Children have died from malnutrition and dehydration, with humanitarian agencies warning of an “imminent famine.”

Starvation has become a weapon of war.

5. Targeting of Medical and Humanitarian Facilities

Hospitals have been bombed or looted. Medical staff have been attacked or detained. Humanitarian organizations face severe restrictions, and their supplies are often seized by armed groups.

6. Widespread Sexual Violence

Testimonies gathered by the UN and international NGOs reveal systematic rape used as a weapon to terrorize communities, particularly in Darfur. Survivors recount gang rapes and abductions by armed men.

7. Forced Displacement

More than 10 million Sudanese have been forced from their homes—the largest displacement crisis in the world today. Refugees have fled to Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt, often under perilous conditions.

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Impact on Civilians

The civilian population is paying the heaviest price:

Casualties: Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed; the actual number is believed to be much higher due to limited access for journalists and investigators.

Health Crisis: Hospitals are destroyed, medical supplies are scarce, and infectious diseases are spreading rapidly.

Education Collapse: Millions of children are unable to attend school.

Economic Devastation: Infrastructure, farms, and factories have been destroyed, crippling Sudan’s economy.

Psychological Trauma: Survivors suffer from PTSD, grief, and chronic fear as violence becomes routine.

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Why Are These Crimes Happening?

Several interlocking factors fuel the ongoing atrocities:

1. Power Struggle: Both factions seek total control of the country and its resources.

2. Ethnic and Political Divisions: Old ethnic rivalries in regions like Darfur are reignited.

3. Weak Governance: The collapse of civilian institutions means no effective law enforcement or accountability.

4. Use of Militias: Both sides employ irregular forces with little discipline or oversight.

5. Impunity: Previous crimes in Darfur went largely unpunished, encouraging repetition.

6. Geopolitical Interests: Regional actors indirectly influence the conflict through arms supplies and alliances.

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Documentation and Challenges

Documenting crimes in Sudan is extremely difficult:

Journalists and NGOs have limited access to conflict zones due to sieges and communication blackouts.

Satellite imagery is often the only way to confirm mass graves or burned villages.

Witnesses fear retaliation and often flee before giving statements.

The information environment is polluted by propaganda and misinformation from both sides.

Despite these barriers, international media outlets such as BBC, Al Jazeera, and AP News continue to gather credible evidence confirming that crimes against humanity are occurring.

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International Legal Response

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has stated that there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in Darfur.

The ICC is investigating both the RSF and the Sudanese army for atrocities, though arrests remain unlikely as the country is engulfed in war.

The United Nations and several NGOs have demanded:

An immediate ceasefire.

Safe humanitarian corridors for aid delivery.

Accountability for perpetrators through international justice mechanisms.

However, diplomatic efforts have so far failed, and violence continues to escalate.

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3. Features (Key Characteristics)

The crimes in Sudan display several distinctive features that make this conflict particularly brutal:

1. Unprecedented Scale of Violence

The intensity of attacks—such as the destruction of entire towns within days—demonstrates a level of brutality rarely seen since the Darfur genocide in the early 2000s.

2. Combination of Modern and Primitive Warfare

Both heavy artillery and close-range executions are used, showing a blend of organized military tactics and chaotic militia violence.

3. Weaponization of Starvation and Rape

Blocking humanitarian aid and using sexual violence as a weapon of terror indicate calculated cruelty aimed at breaking communities psychologically.

4. Ethnic Targeting

Specific ethnic groups, particularly the Masalit, have been singled out for extermination and displacement—an alarming echo of past genocides.

5. Collapse of State Control

With no functioning government, law enforcement, or courts, armed groups act freely, resulting in near-total impunity.

6. Humanitarian Crisis of Global Scale

The UN warns that Sudan’s displacement crisis now surpasses that of Syria and Ukraine in sheer numbers.

7. Digital Blackout and Media Suppression

Internet blackouts and targeted attacks on journalists make it difficult for the world to see the true scale of atrocities.

8. Regional and Global Implications

Neighboring countries—Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, and the Central African Republic—are facing waves of refugees, straining their economies and increasing the risk of regional instability.

9. Psychological and Cultural Destruction

Beyond physical death, communities are losing their traditions, identities, and inter-communal trust. The trauma may last generations.

10. Limited Accountability and Weak International Action

The world has condemned the crimes, but sanctions and investigations remain slow and largely symbolic.

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Conclusion

The situation in Sudan represents one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the 21st century. The crimes committed—mass killings, ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and deliberate starvation—are not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of systematic brutality.

Without immediate global intervention and accountability, Sudan risks permanent fragmentation, with millions condemned to life under siege, hunger, and terror.

The international community must go beyond statements of concern. Concrete actions are required:

Strengthen sanctions against perpetrators.

Support humanitarian corridors.

Pressure both SAF and RSF leaders to cease hostilities.

Accelerate ICC investigations and trials.

Justice delayed in Sudan means more lives lost. For the victims of Darfur, Omdurman, and El Fasher, justice is not just a moral demand—it is a necessity for survival and future peace.

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 Download Link

The full BBC live coverage and source updates on this topic can be found at:

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