What's happened
On December 18, 2025, the UN released a report documenting over 1,000 civilian deaths during an April 11-13 assault by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Zamzam displacement camp in Darfur. The report details summary executions, sexual violence, torture, and abductions amid a blockade that preceded the attack. The RSF also targeted aid workers and medical facilities.
What's behind the headline?
The Scale and Nature of Atrocities
The UN report reveals a systematic campaign of violence by the RSF, including the killing of at least 1,013 civilians, with 319 summarily executed. The deliberate targeting of civilians in homes, markets, schools, and health facilities underscores a strategy of terror and ethnic cleansing, particularly against the Zaghawa ethnic group.
Humanitarian Impact and Blockade
The months-long blockade of Zamzam camp by the RSF exacerbated famine and suffering, turning the camp into a humanitarian disaster zone before the assault. The killing of aid workers and destruction of medical facilities further crippled relief efforts.
Regional and Political Implications
The RSF’s offensive in Zamzam was a precursor to their capture of El-Fasher in October 2025, where similar atrocities occurred. This pattern of violence threatens regional stability and complicates international mediation efforts, as seen in recent diplomatic talks involving Sudanese and regional leaders.
Accountability and International Response
UN High Commissioner Volker Türk’s call for impartial investigations and accountability highlights the international community’s concern. However, the RSF’s denial and accusations of bias against mediators suggest ongoing challenges to justice and peace.
Forecast
Without decisive international pressure and effective mediation, the cycle of violence and impunity in Darfur will likely continue, deepening the humanitarian crisis and destabilizing the wider region. The global community must prioritize humanitarian access, ceasefires, and accountability mechanisms to prevent further atrocities.
What the papers say
The United Nations' Human Rights Office report, as covered by SBS, details the killing of over 1,000 civilians during the RSF's April assault on Zamzam camp, including at least 319 summary executions. Survivor testimonies describe killings in homes, markets, and religious sites, with widespread sexual violence documented against women and children, primarily from the Zaghawa ethnic group. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized the potential war crimes involved and the urgent need for thorough investigations.
France 24 highlights the broader context of the RSF's ongoing conflict with Sudan's regular army since 2023 and the capture of El-Fasher city, where similar atrocities occurred. The report also notes the destruction and concealment of evidence by RSF fighters, underscoring the challenges in securing accountability.
The Independent and AP News provide additional context on the siege and blockade of Zamzam camp, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis and the RSF's role in blocking essential supplies before the attack. They also report on diplomatic efforts involving Sudanese and regional leaders, including meetings with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, aimed at resolving the conflict.
Declan Walsh of the New York Times offers detailed accounts of the killings and sexual violence, noting the scale of the atrocities and the targeting of medical personnel. All Africa's coverage includes survivor testimonies and highlights the use of sexual violence as a terror tactic.
Reuters reports on the RSF's denial of wrongdoing and the ongoing uncertainty about the fate of thousands abducted or missing following the attacks. The collective coverage paints a grim picture of escalating violence, humanitarian suffering, and stalled peace efforts in Sudan's Darfur region.
How we got here
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary RSF. Zamzam camp, housing nearly half a million displaced people, was besieged by the RSF who blocked food and supplies before launching a deadly assault in April 2025. This conflict has caused massive displacement and humanitarian crises in Darfur.
Go deeper
- What is the role of the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan's conflict?
- How has the international community responded to the Darfur atrocities?
- What is the current humanitarian situation in Zamzam camp and Darfur?
Common question
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What Happened During the Recent Attack in Darfur?
The recent attack in Darfur has drawn international concern due to the scale of violence and reported war crimes. Understanding what occurred, how many people were affected, and the global response is crucial to grasping the ongoing crisis. Below, we explore the key questions about this devastating event and its wider implications.
More on these topics
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.