Sudan25 February, 20262 min read
UNSC Condemns: RSF Massacres Civilians, Commits Sexual Violence, Uses Drones to Target Aid Workers
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Rapid Support Forces massacred civilians and committed sexual violence in Kordofan and Darfur Rapid Support Forces used drones to repeatedly attack civilians, infrastructure and humanitarian personnel
6 outlets told this the same way.
UN Security Council on Sudan
UN Security Council voiced deep concern and on Tuesday strongly condemned escalating atrocities in Sudan, calling for an immediate end to the fighting and singling out the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for repeated attacks on civilians and humanitarian facilities. Council statements catalogued mass killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detention and attacks on aid workers, and linked the violence to a wider, nearly three‑year civil war that has killed thousands and produced massive displacement and hunger. Member statements stressed protection of civilians and compliance with international law while urging unfettered humanitarian access and safe passage for aid.
“The UN Security Council voiced ‘deep concern’ and called for an immediate end to fighting in war-torn Sudan, condemning escalating atrocities — including repeated drone strikes on civilians and humanitarian facilities, mass killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detention and attacks on aid workers (notably hits affecting the World Food Programme).”
Drone strikes and aid impact
The council highlighted repeated drone strikes that have hit civilians, infrastructure and humanitarian personnel — including multiple strikes affecting World Food Programme assets — and warned that deliberate attacks on aid workers or their assets may amount to war crimes. Reports say the strikes have damaged humanitarian operations and exacerbated an already dire food insecurity crisis. The Council urged all parties to allow unfettered humanitarian access and to avoid using starvation as a weapon.
Allegations against RSF in Sudan
The council's condemnation catalogues an array of abuses attributed chiefly to the RSF across Darfur and Kordofan, including mass killings, conflict-related sexual violence, arbitrary detention, abductions, looting and ethnically motivated targeting. Al Jazeera cited specific incidents, including an RSF raid in Misteriha that killed at least 28 people and the fall of el‑Fasher, which the UN called a 'crime scene', while Saudi Gazette and usmuslims listed summary executions and mass displacement as principal concerns. The UN and other bodies warned these acts may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
“Recent incidents cited include an RSF raid in Misteriha that killed at least 28 people and the fall of el-Fasher amid reports of systematic killings, rape, abductions and looting; the UN has called el-Fasher a ‘crime scene.’”
Accountability measures in Sudan
The Security Council record reflects a mix of judicial, punitive and diplomatic measures on accountability. Al Jazeera reports that the International Criminal Court has opened a probe into alleged war crimes by both sides. Al Jazeera also reports that the UNSC imposed travel bans and asset freezes on four senior RSF figures, including the brother of RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Saudi Gazette echoed the call to hold perpetrators to account and framed the actions as compliance with international law. usmuslims welcomed moves that prioritize both accountability and parallel efforts toward a ceasefire and an inclusive, Sudanese-led political solution.
Media coverage comparison
Coverage differs in emphasis and completeness. Al Jazeera gives detailed incident reporting and frames the crisis in humanitarian terms. Saudi Gazette repeatedly frames the council's language in legal terms and stresses that acts "may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity".
“The UN Security Council voiced ‘deep concern’ and called for an immediate end to fighting in war-torn Sudan, condemning escalating atrocities — including repeated drone strikes on civilians and humanitarian facilities, mass killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detention and attacks on aid workers (notably hits affecting the World Food Programme).”
usmuslims couples legal warnings with calls for immediate cessation of hostilities and a political process. One listed source, Siasat, provided no substantive article text and is missing coverage, a notable omission given the council's wide-ranging statements and the need for varied reporting across regions.
