The leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has announced an investigation into alleged violations committed by his soldiers during the capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
The announcement comes after reports of mass civilian killings and international condemnation.
Hemedti expressed regret for the suffering of the people of el-Fasher and admitted that his forces had committed violations, which would be investigated by a committee that has arrived in the city.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that nearly 500 civilians, including patients and their companions, were shot dead at the last partially functioning hospital in el-Fasher.
The RSF denies allegations of ethnically motivated killings, despite evidence of widespread human rights abuses.
Activists are calling for international pressure on the United Arab Emirates, which is accused of providing military support to the RSF.
The capture of el-Fasher has split the country, with the RSF controlling most of Darfur and neighboring regions, while the army holds the capital, Khartoum, and central and eastern regions.
The conflict between the army and the RSF has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and in need of aid.
