Sudanese armed forces have found at least 25 bodies in a mass grave in Kurmuk, in southeastern Sudan’s Blue Nile State, local officials said. The remains included children, women and hospital staff, according to Abdel Aty Mohamed al-Faki, the town’s commissioner.
Local authorities accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of carrying out the killings, saying the victims were executed near Jebel Fankat. There was no immediate comment from the RSF.
What officials say was found
Al-Faki announced the discovery on Sunday, saying Sudanese forces found the grave during sweeping operations in northeastern Kurmuk. He said the executions took place near Jebel Fankat, a hilltop position the RSF had used to launch drone attacks during its assault on the area.
The discovery follows a change in control
The mass grave was found about a month after the Sudanese army regained control of Kurmuk following weeks of heavy fighting. The RSF has been fighting Sudan’s armed forces since April 2023 and has been accused of mass killings in Khartoum, el-Fasher and central Gezeira state.
Related coverage: Sudanese army secures Al Sadarat highway, blocking RSF advance on el-Obeid.
Fighting continues in Blue Nile State
Despite the army’s return to Kurmuk, attacks have continued. Al Jazeera correspondent Almigdad al-Ruhaid reported that RSF explosive drone attacks hit the city for a second consecutive day, while fighting in Blue Nile State was contributing to mass displacement.
The wider conflict has killed an estimated 40,000 people and forced more than 14 million to flee their homes, according to the World Health Organization. Fighting has also continued in West Darfur, where Sudanese forces reportedly repelled RSF attacks in Bir Saliba, about 40km from el-Geneina.
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