Activists report Sudan’s RSF kills over 100 in village attack

CAIRO/DUBAI—An assault on a village in Gezira State by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces resulted in the death of over 100 individuals, according to reports from local activists.

If confirmed, this incident would be among the numerous attacks by RSF troops on small villages in the agricultural state following their takeover of the capital Wad Madani in December.

A communications blackout currently hinders Reuters from verifying the death toll with medics or residents.

According to a statement from the pro-democracy Wad Madani Resistance Committee on social media, “Wad Alnoura village … witnessed a genocide on Wednesday after the RSF attacked twice, killing up to 100 people.”

Subsequently, the committee revised the death toll to hundreds and claimed that the Sudanese army did not respond to their request for assistance.

Since their conflict with the army began in April 2023 due to disagreements over integration, the RSF has gained control of Khartoum and much of western Sudan. Their current objective is to advance further into the center, with United Nations agencies warning of an impending famine in Sudan.

According to the RSF’s statement on Wednesday, they initiated attacks on army and allied militia bases near Wad Alnoura but did not acknowledge any civilian casualties.

Contrarily, the Wad Madani Resistance Committee alleged that the RSF utilized heavy artillery against civilians, engaged in looting, and forced women and children to seek safety in the neighboring town of Managil.

The committee presented images of numerous bodies prepared for burial in a public space amidst large groups of men.

“The people of Wad Alnoura pleaded for the army’s assistance, but regrettably received no response,” stated the committee.

The army-supported Transitional Sovereign Council condemned the attack, labeling it as “criminal acts that reflect the systematic behavior of these militias in targeting civilians.”