Zamzam Refugee Camp Massacre: Investigation Reveals Over 1,500 Civilians Killed in Sudan

A new and deeply disturbing investigation has uncovered the true scale of the violence that engulfed the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, Sudan, in April. Initial reports suggested a significant number of casualties, but a recent in-depth analysis by The Guardian points to a death toll exceeding 1,500 civilians during a brutal 72-hour assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The attack, which began on April 11, 2025, transformed the already dire humanitarian situation in Zamzam into a scene of unimaginable horror. The sprawling camp, home to over half a million displaced people – predominantly women and children – had been grappling with famine-like conditions even before the onslaught.

Eyewitness accounts paint a picture of a "genocidal massacre." Survivors reported targeted killings, widespread executions, and the abduction of countless women and girls. Homes were systematically set ablaze, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee for their lives. Tragically, Relief International, a vital aid organization operating in the camp, reportedly lost its entire staff during the violence.

While initial estimates from international bodies hovered in the "hundreds," with some suggesting around 400 deaths, a dedicated committee established by Zamzam camp officials has painstakingly documented the remains of over 1,500 victims. The true number is feared to be even higher, as access to the ravaged camp, now under RSF control, remains limited, and many bodies are believed to be unrecovered.

The consequences of this atrocity are far-reaching. An estimated 400,000 survivors have been displaced once again, many desperately seeking refuge in the already besieged city of El Fasher or undertaking perilous journeys across the border into Chad. This mass exodus is exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis, with reports emerging of a growing cholera outbreak in the overcrowded refugee camps in Chad.

The international community has begun to react to the horrifying revelations. France issued a strong condemnation of the RSF's actions following the initial reports. The International Criminal Court has also indicated that it has "reasonable grounds" to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in Darfur, with the Zamzam attack likely to be a key focus of their investigations. The United Nations has consistently voiced concerns over the ongoing attacks on civilians and aid workers in Sudan.

The massacre at Zamzam serves as a stark reminder of the brutal realities faced by civilians caught in the crossfire of Sudan's ongoing conflict. As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the urgent need for international intervention, accountability for the perpetrators, and increased humanitarian aid for the displaced populations becomes ever more critical. The world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering in Sudan and must work collectively to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.