A Refuge Destroyed: RSF Violations in Darfur’s Zamzam Camp for Internally Displaced Persons

From April 11 to 13, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a large-scale assault on Zamzam, the largest camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan’s North Darfur State. This attack was part of the RSF’s military campaign, started in May 2024, to capture El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. While the RSF and its allied militias laid siege to El Fasher for 18 months, they also attacked nearby villages and other IDP camps.

This report documents emblematic cases of violations of international law that should be investigated as war crimes that were committed by the RSF and its allied forces during the attack and in its aftermath.

Amnesty International found that the RSF and forces allied to the RSF showed unrestrained disregard for international humanitarian law, including deliberate killing of civilians, hostage taking, pillaging and destruction of protected objects—buildings dedicated to religious, educational, charitable and medical purposes. These violations could also constitute war crimes under international law.

In violation of international humanitarian law, RSF fighters deliberately set fire to homes, businesses, the market and structures in the compound of the Sheikh Farah school and mosque, destroying or badly damaging critical civilian infrastructure. The RSF also pillaged homes, the market and shops.

Amnesty International calls on the RSF and its allied forces to immediately end indiscriminate and deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, stop rape and other sexual violence, end pillage and destruction of civilian property including medical facilities, markets, foodstuffs, livestock and other community and humanitarian facilities, and allow and facilitate rapid, unrestricted and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to ensure aid reaches all those in need, as well as protect humanitarian relief personnel and facilities, and end all attacks on humanitarian workers, including in El Fasher and in all IDP camps in the country.

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