Photo by Medhus (CC BY 2.0)

On December 18, 2025 UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) published a report [3] documenting killings, sexual violence, torture, and abductions of civilians during a three-day assault on the Zamzam internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in North Darfur, Sudan. The attack [4] was conducted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from April 11 to 13, 2025, and formed part of a larger military operation to target the capital, El Fasher.

The report revealed [5] that at least 1,013 civilians were killed, including 319 who were executed either within the camp or in the attempt to flee. The report also documented 104 survivors of sexual violence, who were subjected to rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery. Internally displaced persons are entitled to specific protections under international law, including the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement [6], which require all parties to a conflict to ensure their safety, dignity, and protection from violence.

The report stated that RSF made deliberate attacks against civilians and other protected persons, including doctors and other health workers. These actions constitute war crimes and may also amount to crimes against humanity if shown to have been committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against the civilian population in furtherance of an organizational policy.

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the “deliberate killing of civilians or persons hors de combat may constitute the war crime of murder.” He emphasized that “there must be an impartial, thorough and effective investigation into the attack on the Zamzam IDP camp, and those responsible for serious violations of international law must be punished through fair proceedings.” Türk further called on the international community to do everything in its power to prevent atrocities.