The BBC Verify analysis of videos depicting fighters bragging about a massacre and later mocking survivors has linked the perpetrators to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The BBC has confirmed that at least 80 people were killed in the October attack on al-Seriha in Gezira state, with reports from the UN suggesting the death toll could be as high as 124. Witnesses recounted seeing unarmed civilians being shot at close range as they tried to escape the violence.
The massacre is believed to have been triggered by the defection of a senior RSF commander in Gezira state to the country’s armed forces. The RSF spokesman, however, denied their involvement in the killings, stating that their mission is to protect civilians and promote security and peace.
The ongoing conflict between Sudan’s military authorities and their former RSF allies has been strongly criticized by human rights organizations for the widespread atrocities committed by both sides.
Warning: This article contains graphic details of violence and images of deceased individuals, which may be distressing to some readers.
The Impact of a Defection on Retaliatory Attacks
Following the defection of Abu Aqla Keikal, a senior RSF commander in Gezira state, to the Sudanese military, a series of reprisal attacks were carried out by fighters in various towns and villages in Gezira state between 20 October and 4 November.
BBC Verify conducted an in-depth investigation into one of these attacks using multiple sources of information to reconstruct the events.
[BBC]
Uncovering the Truth Behind the al-Seriha Massacre
Eyewitnesses described the horrific events that unfolded during the massacre in al-Seriha, with gunmen indiscriminately shooting at civilians, resulting in numerous fatalities. Satellite imagery and video footage were used by BBC Verify to confirm the location and details of the attack.
[BBC]
Further evidence linking the perpetrators to the RSF was found in videos where fighters can be seen proudly showcasing their actions and referencing Keikal, the defected commander. The videos also revealed the distinctive RSF insignia worn by the fighters.
[BBC]
Eye-witnesses identified former residents among the attackers, indicating that they had joined the RSF. Despite these findings, attempts to identify the individuals through facial recognition technology were unsuccessful.
The videos clearly indicated that the massacre was carried out in retaliation for Keikal’s defection, with fighters explicitly mentioning his name and the town of al-Seriha.
The RSF denied any involvement in the attacks when approached by BBC Verify.
“A spokesperson for the group mentioned that it is easy to acquire a Rapid Support Forces uniform and use it to commit crimes against civilians in order to frame the Rapid Support Forces,”
While it is not impossible to dismiss this possibility, the BBC has viewed three separate videos filmed by the fighters themselves, showing RSF insignia on the uniforms of those involved.
A report by Human Rights Watch investigating the attacks on al-Sehira and other towns in Gezira state since Keikal’s defection on 20 October identified the RSF as the perpetrators.
On 29 October, the UN released a statement condemning the killings in al-Seriha and other towns in Gezira state, attributing responsibility to the RSF for these attacks.”
How many civilians were killed?
The BBC obtained four separate videos depicting the aftermath of the attack on al-Seriha, showing graphic scenes of bodies lined up in a mosque courtyard, covered with shrouds and blankets. The earliest versions of these videos were posted online on 26 October.
BBC Verify confirmed the image below was taken in the mosque courtyard by matching key features to an image from Google maps.
BBC Verify analyzed the video and photographic evidence, counting at least 82 bodies laid out on beds or on the floor.
The UN reported that 124 people died in the reprisal killings in al-Seriha. The Gezira Congress, a local civil society group, suggested the number could be as high as 140.
Satellite photos revealed freshly-dug earth mounds in the town cemetery, indicating the possibility of mass graves.
Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director at Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab, noted that the appearance of these mounds suggested recent digging, potentially burying many bodies.
The activities of the RSF and the Sudanese military in Gezira state have sparked international condemnation, with calls to halt arms supplies to both sides to end the conflict and ensure the safety and justice for the people of Sudan.” Merecen vivir.
Reportaje adicional por Mohanad Hashim. Gráficos por Mesut Ersoz.
[BBC]
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