Unveiling Atrocities: Inside the Massacre by Sudan's RSF Militia

Fighters laugh as they ride on the back of a pick-up truck, speeding past a row of nine dead bodies and driving towards the setting Sudanese sun.

Look at all this work. Look at this genocide, one cheers.

He smiles as he turns the camera on himself and his fellow fighters, their Rapid Support Forces (RSF) badges on display: They will all die like this. The men are celebrating a massacre that humanitarian officials fear killed more than 2,000 people in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher last month.

On Monday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it is investigating whether the paramilitary RSF may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. El-Fasher was a crucial target for the RSF, being the last stronghold in Darfur held by the Sudanese military, with whom they have waged a devastating war since their ruling coalition collapsed in 2023.

Over 150,000 individuals are estimated to have died from the fighting during this period. Both the RSF and the military have faced accusations of an extensive list of war crimes, many of which have been reported by the RSF after the fall of el-Fasher.

For nearly two years, the city had been under siege, but starting in August, the RSF intensified efforts to consolidate their power. Satellite images revealed the construction of a massive berm around el-Fasher, effectively sealing off access routes and preventing humanitarian aid.

By early October, this barrier completely surrounded the city, and a smaller barricade was put up around a neighboring village.

As the blockade intensified, a violent RSF attack resulted in the deaths of 78 individuals at a mosque on September 19, while drone and artillery strikes reportedly killed 53 more in a displacement camp in October.

Video evidence also indicated attempts by the RSF to impose a blockade on essential supplies, with footage showing a man accused of smuggling supplies being tortured as he hung upside down from a tree.

Meanwhile, amidst street-to-street battles, RSF troops began a massive push into the city, overwhelming military positions by October 26.

As sunrise broke on October 26, RSF forces captured the last military stronghold, gallivanting through the abandoned headquarters with disturbing joy. RSF commander Abdul Rahim Dagalo was later seen inspecting the base, which raises concerns about a long history of atrocities committed against non-Arab groups in Sudan.

Graphic video reports depicted paramilitary fighters rallying for further violence against el-Fasher's civilian population, with many videos showcasing the aftermath of the RMF’s actions and the brutality towards unarmed civilians.

One particularly shocking video displayed an RSF commander known as Abu Lulu executing an unarmed man in cold blood, with chilling disregard for the victim's pleas for mercy.

As the killing spree unfolded, satellite imagery collected shortly after the massacre revealed evidence consistent with the execution of civilians, raising alarm bells amongst human rights groups.

This renewed wave of violence has drawn international outrage, with calls for accountability. While RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has acknowledged violations, observers remain skeptical, given the organization's history and ongoing suppression of dissent.