Sudan’s Kurmuk: 25 Bodies Found in Mass Grave After Army Recaptures Town

Authorities in Sudan have reported the discovery of

Authorities in Sudan have reported the discovery of a mass grave containing 25 bodies in the eastern town of Kurmuk, just days after government forces regained control from rebel fighters. The grim find has sparked fresh accusations of atrocities against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with officials alleging the dead include women and children.

According to local administrators, the grave was uncovered on the outskirts of Kurmuk, a strategic settlement near the Ethiopian border that changed hands during recent clashes. The town had been held by RSF units since mid-December, when they launched a surprise offensive in the Blue Nile region, before the Sudanese army mounted a counteroffensive and retook it earlier this week.

A senior official in the region’s government told reporters that the bodies showed signs of summary execution, with many victims bound before being shot. Forensic teams are now working to identify the remains and determine the exact circumstances of death, though the official directly blamed the RSF for the killings, describing them as a "war crime and a crime against humanity."

The RSF has denied involvement in any massacre

The RSF has denied involvement in any massacre, calling the allegations a smear campaign by the military-aligned authorities. However, human rights monitors have documented a pattern of abuses by both sides since the conflict erupted in April 2023, including mass detentions, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings.

The discovery has heightened fears of further ethnic violence in the Blue Nile region, which has a history of communal tensions. The town’s recapture has allowed residents to return, but many are now grappling with the trauma of the mass grave, while aid groups warn of a looming humanitarian crisis as food and medical supplies remain scarce. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the finding, urging all parties to respect international law.