Escalation of Violence in North Kordofan
On July 14, 2025, reports emerged that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan’s paramilitary group, have been responsible for the deaths of over 200 civilians in a series of attacks on villages in North Kordofan state. These claims were made by the National Umma Party and a well-known Sudanese human rights organization.
The RSF has been conducting operations in the Bara locality since June, a region where the Sudanese army has recently gained ground. The situation has escalated into a violent conflict with devastating consequences for local communities.
Attacks on Wad Hamid and Shaq Al-Neem
The National Umma Party released a statement detailing an RSF attack on the village of Wad Hamid, which involved heavy weaponry and resulted in the deaths of 46 people. The party also reported that attacks on the villages of East and West Shaq Al-Neem led to the deaths of dozens more, with one village being completely destroyed.
The party described these actions as a “blatant violation of international humanitarian law” and held the RSF leadership legally and morally accountable for the atrocities committed.
Residents from the area told Sudan Tribune that clashes left around 200 people dead in the village of Shouq Al-Noum. They mentioned that villagers armed with Kalashnikov rifles were fighting against RSF troops who used heavy weapons and combat drones.
Displacement and Destruction
The fighting caused a complete displacement of the population, with some residents losing their lives when artillery fire collapsed their homes. This tragic outcome highlights the severe impact of the conflict on innocent civilians.
Human Rights Group Reports
Emergency Lawyers, a human rights group monitoring the conflict, corroborated these accounts. They stated that the RSF committed “horrific massacres” during attacks on at least five villages on July 12.
According to the group, over 200 people were killed in the village of Shaq Al-Noum alone, with most victims burned to death in their homes or shot. They also reported that at least 38 other civilians were killed in neighboring villages, with dozens more forcibly disappeared or detained.
The attacks were accompanied by widespread looting and destruction of property, forcing villagers to bury the dead in mass graves. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention.
Ongoing Crisis and Calls for Accountability
The violence in North Kordofan continues to escalate, with reports of civilian casualties increasing daily. Local communities are caught in the crossfire, suffering not only from direct violence but also from the long-term effects of displacement and loss of livelihoods.
Human rights organizations and local groups are calling for accountability and justice for the victims of these attacks. They urge the international community to take decisive action to protect civilians and ensure that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable.
As the conflict persists, the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response becomes increasingly critical. The situation demands immediate attention and support to prevent further loss of life and to provide aid to those affected by the ongoing violence.
