February 13, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
A harrowing new report by the United Nations Human Rights Office has accused Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militia of committing extensive war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during their offensive on the besieged city of El-Fasher, in the country’s Northern State. The findings, disclosed on February 13, underscore an escalation of violence that has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, and could have far-reaching implications for accountability and regional stability.
According to the UN report, the RSF’s assault last October was marked by a “wave of intense violence … shocking in its scale and brutality,” with evidence suggesting systematic targeting of civilians and widespread abuses. More than 6,000 people were reportedly killed within the first three days of the offensive, with roughly 4,400 fatalities in El-Fasher alone and additional deaths among those attempting to flee.
Documented Atrocities and Patterns of Abuse
The UN Office detailed an array of alleged violations that, if verified, would qualify as breaches of international humanitarian law and potential crimes against humanity. These include:
- Indiscriminate and deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including mass killings aimed at inflicting extensive harm.
- The use of starvation as a method of warfare, a tactic that exacerbates civilian suffering amid ongoing scarcity.
- Sexual violence and rape reportedly used systematically against women and girls from non-Arab communities, highlighting the gendered dimension of the conflict.
- Conscription and involvement of children in hostilities, a troubling violation of global norms.
- Attacks on medical, humanitarian personnel, detention abuses and forced displacement, further deepening the humanitarian toll.
The report also pointed to summary executions of civilians perceived to be aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces, often determined by ethnicity, notably against men and adolescent boys from the Zaghawa community a pattern reflecting broader ethnic targeting.
UN Demand for Accountability
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphasized that “persistent impunity fuels continued cycles of violence,” urging credible, impartial investigations into the conduct of commanders and fighters alike. The statement underscored multiple avenues for accountability, including Sudanese courts, international jurisdictions, and the International Criminal Court signaling a concerted push for justice amid fears that atrocities may otherwise go unpunished.
The report’s findings align with earlier documentation of patterns of gross violations in other Darfur localities — such as Zamzam camp in April 2025 and El-Geneina in 2023 — suggesting a sustained campaign of brutality rather than isolated incidents.
Broader Impact and Ongoing Crisis
The RSF’s offensive and the resulting allegations corroborate concerns raised by international observers about the protracted conflict in Sudan, which has ravaged civilian life and infrastructure for years. The new findings elevate focus on the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur, pressing for international intervention that balances diplomatic negotiation with mechanisms to ensure accountability and protect vulnerable populations.
As global attention turns toward diplomatic solutions and humanitarian responses, the UN’s report intensifies pressure on both Sudanese authorities and international partners to confront violations, safeguard civilians, and pursue justice mechanisms that could deter future atrocities.