Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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December 18, 2025 International law
A report released today by the UN Human Rights Office details mass killings, rape and other forms of sexual violence, torture and abductions committed during a three-day offensive by the Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) on the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons in April this year.
Civilian casualties
At least 1,013 civilians were killed during the offensive from April 11 to 13. The report describes these events as "a consistent pattern of serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross violations of international human rights law."
Of those killed, 319 were summarily executed—either within the camp or while attempting to escape. Some were killed in their homes during repeated searches of homes conducted by the Rapid Intervention Forces, while others were killed in the main market, schools, medical facilities, and mosques. The attack forced more than 400,000 camp residents to flee their homes once again.
Brutal murders
One of the surviving community leaders recounted how two RSF soldiers poked rifles through small holes in the window of the room where he was hiding with ten other men and opened fire, randomly killing eight of them. A woman who returned to the camp the day after the deadly attack, searching for her missing 15-year-old son, said, "The camp was empty. I saw bodies scattered along the roads. Only chickens, donkeys, and sheep were wandering around." She never found her son that day.
Sexual violence
"Such deliberate killings of civilians or individuals no longer participating in hostilities may amount to the war crime of murder," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. "An impartial, thorough, and effective investigation into the attack on Zamzam must be conducted, and those responsible for serious violations of international law must be held accountable through fair trials."
The findings of this report are yet another stark reminder of the need for urgent action to end cycles of atrocities and violence, and to hold perpetrators accountable and provide reparations to victims.
The report also details patterns of conflict-related sexual violence. At least 104 victims—75 women, 26 girls, and 3 boys, most of whom were of the Zaghawa ethnic group—were subjected to severe forms of sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery, both during attacks on the camp and along evacuation routes.
"Sexual violence appears to have been deliberately used to intimidate the community," the report said.
Food blockade
In the months leading up to the attack, the RSF blocked the entry of food, water, fuel, and other supplies vital to the survival of the camp's civilian population, and systematically attacked those attempting to deliver aid, the report notes. Around 26 people were detained and reportedly executed on the road between Zamzam camp and the town of Tawila—apparently as a warning against any attempts to deliver food to the camp. To survive, many families were forced to feed their children animal feed, such as peanut husks.
Ending the cycle of violence
“These horrific patterns of violations committed with impunity are consistent with what my Office has documented on numerous occasions, including during the capture of El Fasher by the RSF in late October,” said High Commissioner Volker Türk.
"The findings of this report are yet another stark reminder of the need for urgent action to end cycles of atrocities and violence, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to provide reparations to victims," Türk emphasized. "The world must not stand idly by and watch as such brutality becomes the norm in Sudan. All states, especially those with influence, must do everything possible to prevent atrocities."
Call to stop violations
The head of the UN Human Rights Office reiterated his call on all States to take urgent action to prevent parties to the conflict from violating international law and to increase pressure to end the violence – in Darfur, Kordofan and beyond, including by halting the supply, sale and transfer of arms that continue to fuel the conflict.
He also called for diplomatic efforts to end the fighting and achieve a sustainable settlement to the conflict.
The report is based on monitoring by the UN Human Rights Office, including interviews with 155 victims and witnesses, conducted in July 2025 in eastern Chad.
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