Over 25 civilians were executed by the RSF militia in Umm Badr, Sudan

The Sudan Doctors Network has strongly condemned what it described as the extrajudicial execution of more than 25 civilians in the Umm Badr area of North Kordofan state, attributing the killings to members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a statement issued Saturday, the medical group said circulating video footage documents RSF elements carrying out the killings. It stated that indications suggest the attacks were carried out on an ethnic basis, with victims accused of supporting or aligning with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

The network called the acts a “horrific crime and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights principles,” stressing that the extrajudicial killing of civilians cannot be justified under any military pretext. It warned that targeting people based on ethnic or social identity, or on unsubstantiated accusations, threatens social cohesion and fuels hatred and violence.

The group also criticized the apparent documentation and circulation of the footage, describing it as reflecting a disturbing disregard for civilian lives and accountability. It urged the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and relevant accountability mechanisms to launch an independent and transparent investigation, identify those responsible, and ensure they face justice.

The statement comes amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023 and has caused tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. North Kordofan has seen repeated clashes and reports of civilian casualties in recent months.

The RSF has not immediately commented on the specific allegations in the doctors’ network statement. Independent verification of the footage and the precise circumstances remains limited.