RSF burning and burying bodies near key sites in el-Fasher, Yale researchers report
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are continuing to burn and bury bodies in Darfur’s el-Fasher to hide evidence of mass killings, according to an analysis of satellite imagery released by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) on Friday.
The HRL analysis exposed four new locations where paramilitary fighters are disposing of bodies in and around el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. Activities consistent with body disposal are visible near the University of Alfashir, a structure near the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced people, a neighborhood near al-Hikma Mosque, and at the Saudi Hospital, where RSF forces reportedly massacred hundreds.
Nathaniel Raymond, the lead researcher, noted that the whereabouts of an estimated 150,000 civilians remain unknown. He told Al Jazeera that daily monitoring of city streets shows no activity in markets or water points, but only RSF patrols and many bodies, some of which are seen charred.
Fighting Shifts East
The atrocities continue as the civil war in Sudan enters its third year. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has recently seen fighting shift eastward, fueled by arms supplies from the region, creating what the United Nations calls the largest displacement crisis in the world, with over 12 million people forced from their homes.
The government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have recaptured two territories, Kazqil and Um Dam Haj Ahmed, in the North Kordofan state from the RSF. Kazqil, located south of the strategic state capital el-Obeid, had fallen to the RSF in late October. Intense fighting is expected to continue in North Kordofan as the RSF tries to solidify control over crucial links between Darfur and central Sudan.
أبطال القوات المسلحة من داخل " كازقيل" بولاية شمال كردفان#السودان #السودان_ينتصر pic.twitter.com/wVflEodHK5 — Sudan News 🇸🇩 (@Sudan_tweet) November 15, 2025
Ceasefire Breakdown
Last week, the RSF announced it accepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States and other mediators, following international outcry over the atrocities committed in el-Fasher.
However, the army (SAF) has refused to agree to a ceasefire under the current battle lines. Both sides have continued to amass troops and equipment in the central parts of the country, indicating that more battles are imminent. The UN has confirmed starvation in parts of the country amid the conflict
