As the war in Sudan enters its third year, the national army continues to push back the rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, which has committed war crimes against millions of civilians and caused one of the largest displacement crises in the world.
اضافة اعلان
Over two years of armed rebellion, RSF forces have committed unprecedented atrocities and violations in Sudan’s history, including horrific massacres in the capital Khartoum and in the states of West Darfur, Al-Jazira, Sennar, Blue Nile, and White Nile. Hundreds of civilians were killed by the militia’s weapons, with widespread reports of rape, sexual violence, burning of crops, looting, destruction of civil infrastructure, and the forced displacement of people from their villages.
The RSF also carried out mass detentions under inhumane conditions, holding thousands of civilians and retired military personnel in harsh detention camps. Prisoners were subjected to physical and psychological torture, starvation, and forced labor, leading to the deaths of many due to torture and deprivation.
Mass graves and containers filled with the charred bodies of prisoners held by the RSF were discovered, with evidence suggesting that the bodies were burned inside these containers. Civilians, including children, were found murdered in their own homes.
On the battlefield, the Sudanese army has made significant progress in reclaiming territory from the RSF, managing to liberate most of Khartoum except for some remaining areas in the south and west of Omdurman—considered the last RSF strongholds in the capital.
Following their defeat in Khartoum, the RSF intensified drone attacks on cities in the Nile River and Northern states, targeting markets, residential neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure, including the Merowe Dam that supplies electricity to much of the country.
The RSF is now regrouping its fleeing fighters in an attempt to seize control of the city of El Fasher. RSF leaders believe that capturing El Fasher would give them a strategic foothold to dominate the rest of Darfur.
Daily shelling and missile attacks by the RSF have been targeting El Fasher, particularly focusing on displaced persons camps such as the overcrowded Zamzam camp, home to many women, children, and elderly people, many of whom have died in the indiscriminate bombardments.
The Sudanese army is working to break the siege on El Fasher and deliver a final blow to the RSF. Regaining control of El Fasher, as was done in Khartoum, would pave the way for the army to recapture the rest of Darfur, effectively ending the RSF’s military presence in Sudan and putting an end to a brutal and continuous war that has seen no ceasefires.
Estimates suggest around 15 million people have fled RSF-controlled areas to army-held regions, while approximately 7 million have crossed into neighboring countries to escape the horrors of war.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that large numbers of people have been displaced and now live in dire conditions in camps lacking even the most basic necessities. There is a growing risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases like cholera and measles due to shortages of clean water and healthcare.
According to WHO, the two-year conflict has caused an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with millions facing hunger and thousands more suffering injuries and forced displacement amid ongoing armed conflict.
The health system in Sudan is on the verge of collapse, with many hospitals out of service and the remaining ones suffering severe shortages in medical supplies and staff. Continued fighting has blocked humanitarian aid, worsening food and health conditions, especially in Darfur and Khartoum.
UNICEF reported that during the ongoing war in Sudan, grave violations of children's rights have increased by 1,000%. It urged the world not to abandon the millions of children affected by the crisis.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated:
"Two years of war and displacement have shattered the lives of millions of children across Sudan."
UNICEF highlighted serious violations against children, including killing, maiming, abduction, forced recruitment, and sexual violence, noting that such violations have increased by 1,000% over the past two years and are widespread across the country.
According to UNICEF figures, the number of children killed or injured rose from 150 confirmed cases in 2022 to around 2,776 in 2023 and 2024. Attacks on schools and hospitals jumped from 33 incidents in 2022 to 181 in the past two years.
The number of children needing humanitarian aid has doubled, rising from 7.8 million in early 2023 to over 15 million today. Russell stated that:
"Sudan is currently facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world—but it is being overlooked."
She called on the international community to act to end the war, noting that 462,000 children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition between May and October.
President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, said:
"Over two years, this devastating war has left deep scars on the lives of millions of Sudanese. The conflict has swept across the country, from rural areas to urban centers, trapping civilians in an unending nightmare of death and destruction."
She added:
"In the past two years, we've witnessed a disturbing pattern of dehumanization in the conduct of this war. Civilians are killed and injured, their homes looted, and their livelihoods destroyed. Sexual violence is rampant, leaving behind deep psychological trauma that could persist for generations. Even worse, humanitarian workers and first responders are being deliberately targeted while carrying out life-saving missions."
She warned that:
"The conflict has become more deadly with deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure—such as hospitals, water stations, and power facilities. Even if civilians survive the fighting, they face death due to the collapse of healthcare systems or the lack of safe drinking water."
