'Our Mission Consists of Only Executing' - The Way The Sudanese Brutal Paramilitary Group Conducted a Mass Killing
Caution: This Account Contains Disturbing Accounts of Shootings.
Combatants laugh as they ride on the back of a transport truck, speeding past a line of nine lifeless forms and driving towards the sinking African sun.
"Observe all this accomplishment. Observe this genocide," a fighter exclaims.
The fighter beams as he turns the camera on his own face and his fellow combatants, their paramilitary badges visible: "These people are all going to die in this manner."
The combatants are celebrating a massacre that aid workers believe claimed the lives of more than two thousand people in the African urban center of the Darfur city last month.
An Urban Center Cut Off from the Outside
After maintaining the community under siege for approximately an extended period, from August the militia proceeded to strengthen its position and restrict the remaining inhabitants.
Satellite images demonstrate that forces began to build a enormous earth barrier - a built-up sand barrier - surrounding the boundaries of al-Fashir, blocking entry points and preventing relief supplies.
During the encirclement escalated, 78 civilians were killed in an militia strike on a religious building on mid-September, while the international organization stated dozens additional were murdered in unmanned aircraft and heavy weapon bombardments on a refugee settlement in fall.
Explicit Recording Depicts Defenseless People Gunned Down
At dawn on 26 October the paramilitary force defeated the final military strongholds and took control of the central headquarters in the urban area, the command center of the 6th Infantry Division, as the government forces retreated.
Among the most graphic videos to emerge and studied showed the aftermath of a massacre at a educational facility on the west of the urban area, where dozens lifeless forms were seen spread across the area.
An older person dressed in a robe was seated alone amid the victims. He rotated to glance as a militiaman equipped with a weapon proceeded along the steps towards him. Raising his firearm, the shooter discharged a solitary round at the man, who fell to the surface motionless.
"For what reason is this person even breathing," one fighter shouted. "Shoot him."
Satellite images taken on late October seemed to substantiate that shootings were furthermore conducted on the streets of el-Fasher, as reported by a analysis published by the university analysis team.
A key observer who provided testimony said he had observed "multiple of our family members being killed - they were collected in a single location and everyone eliminated."
Paramilitary Commanders Seek to Implement Damage Control
Following the events that came after the massacre, RSF chief acknowledged that his fighters had committed "violations" and said the incidents would be looked into.
Included among apprehended was following a report detailing his executions. Carefully staged and produced recording posted on the RSF's official Telegram channel show the commander being led into a cell at a prison on the outskirts of el-Fasher.
At the same time, the paramilitary force and associated digital profiles commenced seeking to alter the story.
Updates depicting its fighters handing out assistance to inhabitants were disseminated by some individuals, while the force's public relations unit shared several videos allegedly to show the proper treatment of military prisoners of war.
Despite the digital initiative being deployed by the RSF, their activities in al-Fashir have sparked international condemnation.