Sudan’s Dark Secret: RSF Militia Accused of Harvesting Blood from Captives in Al-Faschir
The horrors unfolding in Sudan are far from fully known. New, deeply disturbing reports reveal the brutal RSF (Rapid Support Forces) militia isn’t just engaging in widespread violence, but actively harvesting blood from captured civilians, turning occupied areas into chillingly efficient, makeshift blood banks. This breaking news, surfacing from the besieged city of al-Faschir, paints a picture of unimaginable cruelty and raises urgent questions about the scale of atrocities committed during the ongoing conflict. This is a developing story, optimized for Google News and SEO to ensure rapid dissemination of critical information.
Al-Faschir: A City Under Siege and Now, a Source of Blood
For 18 months, the RSF laid siege to al-Faschir before capturing it in late October. Accounts from those who managed to escape tell of not only countless deaths but also a systematic and terrifying practice: the forced extraction of blood from civilians. Adam, a 35-year-old man who fled to the UNICEF refugee camp in Tawila (approximately 60 kilometers away), recounts a harrowing experience. He was restrained, a needle inserted into his hand, and his blood drained – the amount unknown, but enough to instill paralyzing fear.
“I was afraid they would take everything and I would die,” Adam told Middle East Eye. “But I had no chance to resist or flee. I was tied up and there were soldiers outside, armed and ready to kill anyone.”
From Clinic to Captivity: The Discovery of a Makeshift Blood Bank
Adam’s ordeal didn’t end with the bloodletting. He was released to discover the building where he was held had been transformed into a chilling blood bank. “I saw containers full of blood in the place that looked like a clinic,” he described. “There were many beds separated by curtains. And everywhere were RSF soldiers taking blood from fleeing people.” He estimates over 50 people were subjected to this horrific treatment.
Beyond the blood extraction, Adam and dozens of others were forced into servitude – cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry for the RSF soldiers. Those who completed their tasks were confined to cramped, unsanitary bathrooms overnight. His escape, after a week, was a grueling journey marked by exhaustion and repeated collapses due to the blood loss and inadequate nourishment. Even on the road to safety, RSF patrols posed a constant threat.
“You Are Slaves”: The RSF’s Cold Calculation
Another victim shared a similar story, detailing being bound and having their blood taken while RSF soldiers laughed, telling them, “You are slaves, don’t worry, you won’t die, we need this for our soldiers.” This chilling statement reveals a disturbing rationale behind the practice – a callous disregard for human life driven by the needs of the warring militia.
The Scale of the Tragedy: Revised Death Tolls and a Growing Crisis
The war between the RSF and the Sudanese Army, which began in April 2023, has already triggered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Initial estimates placed the death toll in al-Faschir at around 2,500. However, Minni Minnawi, a former rebel commander and current governor of Darfur, now claims the RSF killed at least 27,000 people in al-Faschir within just three days at the end of October. This revised figure, if accurate, represents a catastrophic escalation in the violence and underscores the urgent need for international intervention.
Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis: A Deeper Look
The conflict in Sudan isn’t simply a localized dispute; it’s a complex web of political, economic, and ethnic tensions. Darfur, the region where al-Faschir is located, has a long history of conflict, dating back to the early 2000s. The current fighting has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leading to widespread displacement, food insecurity, and a collapse of the healthcare system. Understanding this historical context is crucial to grasping the depth of the current crisis. Organizations like UNICEF and the World Food Programme are working tirelessly to provide aid, but access remains severely limited due to the ongoing violence and bureaucratic obstacles. For those seeking to help, donations to reputable humanitarian organizations are vital.
The stories emerging from Sudan are a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. The RSF’s alleged practice of blood harvesting represents a new level of depravity, demanding immediate investigation and accountability. The world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering unfolding in Sudan.
