Sudan war escalates as mass atrocities deepen in Darfur and Kordofan

The conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the national military in Sudan has become increasingly brutal.

In late October 2025, the city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and historically one of the last strongholds of resistance, fell under the control of the RSF following an extended siege.

Since the takeover, multiple human rights organizations and the United Nations have documented widespread atrocities, including summary executions, ethnically motivated killings, and mass graves. There have also been reports of sexual violence, and parts of Darfur have been declared in a state of famine.

The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that relief operations are on the verge of collapse, as aid convoys have been hindered by ongoing fighting, and camps are overwhelmed with malnutrition-stricken civilians. In the Kordofan region, attacks attributed to the RSF have intensified, displacing thousands and worsening the humanitarian crisis.

In response, the foreign ministers of more than a dozen Western nations have issued a joint condemnation of the situation, citing “systematic and ongoing violence against civilians,” including the use of starvation as a method of warfare.

Despite this international outcry, the Sudanese foreign ministry has criticized what it describes as “international silence over RSF atrocities,” accusing the global community of failing to act while civilians continue to suffer.

The scale of displacement is staggering, with tens of thousands fleeing their homes in Darfur and Kordofan in recent days alone. Access issues, dwindling supplies, and deteriorating sanitation are compounding the crisis, raising fears of a situation that could escalate to the level of genocide.

Aid agencies have warned that without the immediate establishment of safe corridors and sufficient funding, the situation could deteriorate into famine across additional regions.

This week, the European Union committed an additional €1 million to support emergency water, hygiene, and shelter services in affected areas.