At least 14 civilians were killed and dozens more injured in what has been described as a “horrific massacre” by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Qarni village, northwest of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. The attack, reported on Monday by the independent watchdog Emergency Lawyers, targeted civilians attempting to flee the area amid a months-long RSF siege.
Several individuals were also reportedly abducted. The group decried the escalating humanitarian crisis, pointing to the near-collapse of health systems, acute food and medicine shortages, and rising malnutrition—particularly among children.
El-Fasher, a critical lifeline for aid operations in Darfur, has endured over a year of RSF-imposed restrictions and violent clashes, despite repeated international calls for a ceasefire and safe humanitarian access. The rights group has urged the global community to intervene by establishing humanitarian corridors and initiating an international probe into RSF actions.
Since the outbreak of war between the RSF and the Sudanese army in April 2023, over 20,000 people have been killed and 14 million displaced, according to UN figures. However, independent research suggests the death toll may exceed 130,000, highlighting the scale of devastation in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.