Human Rights Watch has unveiled harrowing evidence of extensive human rights violations and destruction in South Kordofan, Sudan, spanning late 2023 to 2024. Satellite imagery, eyewitness accounts, and investigations have revealed widespread killings, abductions, sexual violence, and large-scale looting in towns like Habila and Fayu.
Satellite Evidence of Devastation
High-resolution satellite images from November 2024 illustrate significant damage in Habila, where burn marks first identified in early 2024 correspond to destroyed homes and fences. In areas without visible burn scars, most buildings have lost their corrugated metal rooftops, signaling systematic looting. Comparisons of satellite data from September 2023 to November 2024 reveal that residential areas have been stripped of metal rooftops and ravaged by fire.
In Fayu, satellite imagery from April 2024 shows similar devastation. Burned houses, missing rooftops, and scattered debris around market areas highlight the extent of destruction and pillaging.
Brutal Attacks on Civilians in Fayu
Witnesses reported repeated attacks on Fayu by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, particularly targeting the Nuba population. On January 1, 2024, the RSF entered the town and executed 15 civilians, including individuals targeted in their homes. Survivors described scenes of panic as armed men indiscriminately shot residents.
One witness recounted the killing of two neighbors by RSF fighters, while another described the brutal murder of her uncle and another man. Civilians were abducted during these attacks, with many young men forcibly recruited, and women and girls subjected to sexual slavery.
Looting and Targeted Violence
Residents who fled during the violence returned to find their homes, markets, and personal belongings looted. Armed groups stripped buildings of materials, destroyed property, and stole livestock.
During a February 7 attack, the RSF committed further atrocities. Witnesses reported killings, rapes, and abductions, with at least 12 people confirmed dead, including five civilians. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, including the rape of a young woman and the murder of her father.
One witness named Fatna Ibrahim provided a list of victims, while others described the abduction of at least four women and girls. Satellite imagery from April 2024 corroborates these accounts, showing burned structures and debris strewn across Fayu.
Urgent Need for Accountability
The Human Rights Watch report underscores the scale and systematic nature of abuses in South Kordofan, calling for immediate accountability and action to address the atrocities committed in these regions. The organization’s ongoing investigation aims to document these crimes further, seeking justice for the victims of this violence.