Scorched-earth policy of paramilitary groups burns and reshapes Darfur, resulting in famine, ethnic cleansing and demographic change

"The RSF are burning villages indiscriminately, attacking houses according to their own criteria. They might attack the house of the village chief, a local leader, or some other official."

"Sometimes, they attack houses that appear well-built but are actually made of straw, which causes the wind to spread the fire to neighboring houses, sometimes even razing entire villages."

"Since the outbreak of civil war in Sudan three years ago, researchers at Sudan Witness have recorded more than 750 fires across Darfur."

Since the civil war began in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias have set fire to numerous villages to accelerate depopulation. A satellite image from June 2024 shows deliberate destruction in Shalakhna, Darfur. Activist Hajj Kater reports on the forcible seizure of his friend Ali's village, Shartiba, leading to mass displacement. Survivors have fled to camps in Chad, with their village completely destroyed. Kater describes indiscriminate attacks on homes, targeting local leaders and causing widespread devastation across the region.

Read at El Pais