Key Highlights
- Visible from space, bloody sands expose the slaughter of tens of thousands in Sudan.
- Sudanese paramilitary force fights last pockets of resistance in Darfur city.
- RSF fighters have killed tens of thousands in the past week as they rampage through el-Fasher.
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are accused of committing genocide and mass killings.
The Latest Violence in Sudan’s Darfur Region
On November 1, 2025, the world is witnessing a grim spectacle from space as bodies pile up, visible to satellites. The city of el-Fasher, located in western Sudan and surrounded by a sand barrier built during an 18-month siege, has become a battleground for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As paramilitary fighters continue their rampage through the city, thousands have been killed in just one week.
Exposure Through Satellite Imagery
In satellite imagery collected on Monday, clusters of dark objects that are consistent with people can be seen outside a former children’s hospital. These images reveal the scale of the violence and human suffering unfolding in el-Fasher and its surroundings. The same day, a new cluster of white objects appeared across the street, likely representing bodies.
Expanding on this, Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, states that his team observed “activity suggesting mass killing on a level that can only be compared to Rwanda.” His analysis indicates “tens of thousands” have been killed, and the violence is described as moving like a “wood chipper,” with everything that moves being targeted.
Accounts from Survivors
Mutaz Mohamed Musa, one of the few residents who managed to escape el-Fasher on Saturday, provided harrowing details. He recounted how RSF fighters executed people in front of him and shot at civilians, describing the scene as “extremely intense.” Musa’s account aligns with reports from humanitarian organizations warning that Sudan is returning to its genocidal past.
Arjan Hehenkamp, Darfur crisis lead for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), reported that about 5,000 people have fled el-Fasher. However, he described this as a “trickle,” emphasizing the scale of the humanitarian crisis. Justine Muzik Piquemal from Solidarites International added that women and children were among those trekking across the desert to avoid militia attacks.
RSF’s Response and International Reaction
The RSF, led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has not responded to NBC News’ inquiries. Meanwhile, Burhan, Sudan’s military government leader, stated that his forces withdrew from el-Fasher to save civilians from further violence. However, this claim is contradicted by satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts.
Amid these events, the Biden administration declared that RSF and its allies were committing genocide in early 2025. The United Arab Emirates has denied these charges, but with the RSF’s actions continuing to unfold, the international community remains deeply concerned about the potential for a full-scale genocide.
Expert Analysis
Nathaniel Raymond from the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale University expressed deep concern, stating that “this is the final battle of the Darfur genocide.” His team’s analysis of satellite imagery corroborates accounts of mass killings and provides damning evidence of the scale of the violence. The RSF’s actions have raised alarms about potential war crimes and atrocities.
The situation in Sudan’s Darfur region continues to deteriorate, with little hope for immediate resolution. As the world watches, the unfolding tragedy highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing genocidal acts and ensuring human rights are protected.
