In April, a Sudanese paramilitary group seized control of a displacement camp in Darfur, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians, with approximately a third being summarily executed, as per a UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) report. Prior to the assault on April 11-13, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had blocked food and supplies from reaching the Zamzam camp in Darfur, which accommodated nearly 500,000 people displaced by civil conflict. The UN report revealed that during the attack, the RSF targeted civilians, leading to widespread atrocities such as killings, rape, torture, and abductions, with at least 319 individuals executed within the camp or while attempting to escape.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated that the deliberate killing of civilians could potentially constitute the war crime of murder, as mentioned in the 18-page report. The report’s findings were based on interviews with 155 survivors and witnesses who had sought refuge in Chad in July 2025.
The Zamzam camp, situated about 15 kilometers south of al Fasher, was initially established for displaced individuals following the Darfur conflict that began in 2003. A resurgence of violence in 2023 caused an influx of displaced persons, predominantly from African tribes. The OHCHR warned of dire conditions at the camp in late 2024, with RSF patrols obstructing the entry of essential supplies, leading to severe shortages by January.
Witnesses reported that the RSF’s assault on April 11 involved artillery fire, drone strikes, and ground offensives with four-wheel drive vehicles. The violence was often ethnically motivated, resulting in numerous conflict-related sexual violence incidents, with most victims being female, including minors. Many survivors expressed fear and stated they would not return to Zamzam, opting to stay in Chad for safety.
The RSF did not respond immediately to requests for comments but has previously denied targeting civilians and pledged to hold accountable any personnel found violating regulations. The Zamzam attack preceded another assault on El Fasher in late October, where the RSF is accused of executing and abducting thousands, leaving many residents unaccounted for.
