Full Analysis Summary
El Fasher Siege and Massacre
A joint investigation reported by Washington Examiner says the massacre that followed the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of El Fasher was far deadlier than first believed.
An RSF commander estimated that at least 7,000 civilians were killed, an allegation the RSF publicly denies.
Multiple outlets agree the city fell after an approximately 18-month siege.
AP News reports the RSF took control following a siege marked by mass killings, ethnic violence, and sexual assaults.
Roya News and tippinsights likewise describe an 18-month blockade ending with the RSF seizing El Fasher after cutting off food and medical supplies.
Amid these allegations, the RSF spokesman dismissed the 7,000 figure as false and blamed the war’s atrocities on the conflict itself and on the Sudanese Armed Forces’ decisions.
This underscores sharp contention over accountability for what happened in El Fasher.
Coverage Differences
contradiction
Washington Examiner (Western Alternative) reports a joint investigation estimating "at least 7,000 civilians were killed" after the RSF took El Fasher, but it also quotes an RSF spokesman dismissing the death toll as false. AP News (Western Mainstream) focuses on the siege and takeover with descriptions of "mass killings, ethnic violence, and sexual assaults" but does not provide the 7,000 estimate. Roya News (West Asian) and tippinsights (Other) align on the timeline of an 18‑month siege and emphasize the RSF’s capture of the city, with tippinsights adding that the RSF cut off food and medical supplies before taking control.
Casualties and Displacement Figures
The El Fasher killings are part of a nationwide conflict with varying reported death and displacement totals depending on the source.
ABC News cites over 40,000 official deaths since April 2023, a figure supported by AP News and regional summaries that estimate displacement at over 14 million.
Other sources provide different numbers: The Sun Malaysia reports 20,000 deaths and over 15 million displaced in the Kordofan states.
The Diplomatic Insight mentions tens of thousands of deaths with nearly 12 million displaced.
Middle East Monitor states that more than 12.6 million people were displaced by late 2025, calling it the world’s largest displacement crisis.
These conflicting figures arise from differences in scope, timeframes, and focus among the sources, but all highlight extensive civilian suffering.
Coverage Differences
contradiction
ABC News and AP News (Western Mainstream) report "over 40,000" deaths nationwide since April 2023 and more than 14 million displaced, while The Sun Malaysia (Other) cites "20,000 deaths" and "over 15 million" displaced in North and South Kordofan specifically. The Diplomatic Insight (Other) reports nearly 12 million displaced, and Middle East Monitor (Western Alternative) frames displacement as 12.6 million by late 2025 and calls it the "world’s largest displacement crisis"—a broader and later timeframe than others.
Allegations of RSF Atrocities in El Fasher
Accounts from mainstream and regional outlets converge on severe RSF abuses around El Fasher.
Some narratives escalate the charge to genocide.
ABC News lists accusations against the RSF of widespread executions, ethnic killings, and sexual assaults.
AP News also ties these allegations to the 18-month siege and capture of El Fasher.
The Guardian notes the RSF have been accused of ethnically motivated atrocities reminiscent of past Darfur violence.
United News of Bangladesh reports the UN Secretary-General stating the RSF committed mass executions, ethnic killings, and sexual assaults after taking El Fasher, which the RSF denies.
The Korea Times amplifies the Sudanese government’s stance, with the Sudanese ambassador alleging ethnic genocide, mass executions, and people being burned or buried alive.
These claims reflect the most severe characterizations among the sources.
Coverage Differences
tone
Mainstream outlets such as ABC News and AP News (Western Mainstream) describe specific atrocity categories—"executions, ethnic killings, and sexual assaults"—in a direct but clinical register. The Guardian (Western Mainstream) uses cautious phrasing—"have been accused"—and frames it in the context of Darfur history. United News of Bangladesh (Asian) reports the UN Secretary‑General’s allegation that the RSF committed these crimes post‑capture, while The Korea Times (Asian) quotes a Sudanese ambassador using the strongest language, including "ethnic genocide," and graphic descriptions—heightening severity and attribution compared to other sources.
Global Calls for Ceasefire and Justice
Global reactions emphasize a ceasefire and accountability, with some calling for targeted action against the RSF and its alleged backers.
AP News, Editorji, and Букви detail the UN Secretary‑General’s calls for an immediate ceasefire, accountability, and halting arms flows.
lbc.co.uk urges the UK to use its UN Security Council seat to pressure the UAE and take measures against the RSF similar to those used against ISIS.
Dabanga Radio TV Online highlights Muslim‑majority states condemning RSF atrocities and obstruction of aid.
Al‑Jazeera Net reflects the Sudanese government’s position, labeling the RSF as terrorists and vowing no truce unless the RSF withdraws from cities.
These reactions illustrate sharp divides over how to achieve protection and justice for civilians.
Coverage Differences
narrative
Western Mainstream and Other outlets (AP News, Editorji, Букви) focus on the UN’s calls for ceasefire, arms embargoes, and accountability. lbc.co.uk (Western Mainstream) uniquely pushes the UK to pressure the UAE and to respond to the RSF as it did to ISIS, while Dabanga Radio TV Online (Other) foregrounds condemnations from Muslim‑majority countries. Al‑Jazeera Net (West Asian) centers the Sudanese government’s framing of the RSF as "mercenaries, killers, and terrorists" and rejects any truce absent RSF withdrawal—more hardline than process‑oriented UN appeals.
Humanitarian Crisis in El Fasher
The humanitarian fallout from the El Fasher takeover is catastrophic and evolving.
AP News describes thousands fleeing to a nearby camp and documents an RSF drone strike on a pediatric hospital.
United News of Bangladesh reports nearly 71,000 people were displaced after the city’s capture.
Editorji warns that hundreds of thousands remain trapped amid severe malnutrition, disease, and violence.
Roya News adds that the RSF now controls most of western Darfur while the Sudanese army holds other regions, raising fears of Sudan splitting.
The Diplomatic Insight notes the RSF has set up a rival administration in El-Fasher, underscoring the risk of prolonged fragmentation that complicates aid and accountability.
Coverage Differences
missed information
AP News (Western Mainstream) centers immediate humanitarian impacts—new displacement, famine, and a hospital strike—without delving into political control changes. United News of Bangladesh (Asian) quantifies post‑capture displacement as "nearly 71,000". Editorji (Asian) highlights that "hundreds of thousands are trapped". Roya News (West Asian) stresses territorial control and the risk of Sudan splitting, while The Diplomatic Insight (Other) uniquely reports the RSF "set up a rival administration" in El‑Fasher—details absent in several Western Mainstream reports.