North Darfur: At least 65 worshippers, including children, have been reported killed, with numerous others injured, as a result of an airstrike on a mosque in El-Fasher.

The African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) strongly condemns the recent brutal attacks on worshippers by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, North Darfur, which have resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. It is imperative that Sudanese authorities conduct thorough investigations into these incidents promptly, ensure transparency by publicizing the findings, and hold those responsible accountable. Additionally, authorities must ensure that urgent medical assistance is available and accessible to the injured. 

We reaffirm our appeal for the belligerents to cease targeting civilians and to adhere to the international human rights and humanitarian treaties ratified by Sudan, including respecting Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits direct attacks on civilians and those not actively involved in hostilities. International humanitarian law protects houses of worship and religious sites from destruction during international and non-international armed conflicts. 

On September 19, 2025, at approximately 5:30 AM, a drone airstrike struck the mosque located in the Al-Safia neighborhood of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. Regrettably, the attack resulted in the immediate fatalities of at least 65 civilians, including 17 unidentified individuals, with 11 of the victims being children. The mosque was entirely destroyed. The next day, the bodies were incinerated within the mosque's yard.  

This incident marks the highest civilian casualties caused by drone airstrikes since such attacks started. The RSF intensified its drone strike activity, particularly in El-Fasher, since September 11, 2025. 

ACJPS noted that the timeline of the attack aligns with the RSF's announcement for civilians to evacuate El-Fasher. However, this is not the first time worshipers in El-Fasher have been targeted. Records indicate that at least 17 civilians were killed at Al-Tejania Mosque, located on the city's eastern side, on July 01, 2024, and several other people lost their lives during an attack on Ali Khabir Mosque in the southeast. Additionally, open-source videos show that other mosques, including Al-Tejania, the main Sufi Mosque, and the central El-Fasher Mosque in the city center, and other worship sites have been desecrated and repurposed as military bases. These incidents add to the violations documented during the April 15, 2023, conflict in Sudan.

The intention behind the recent attack on the mosque in El-Fasher seems to be to ensure that civilians stay in place as part of the RSF's plan to control the town. Along with the RSF's siege of El-Fasher, issues like hunger and the cholera outbreak highlight the heartbreaking hardships faced by the people in the city. Mr. Mohamed Badawi, the director monitoring and documentation program at ACJPS, expressed concern that this situation might lead to revenge if the fighting persists. 

“The recent incidents in El-Fasher violate places of worship, which are protected as cultural property under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). These sites are afforded full respect, recognition, and protection; armed groups are prohibited from attacking or destroying them. This protection is outlined in the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, Additional Protocols I and II to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the Statute of the International Criminal Court,” said Mr. Amir Suleiman, the director of the legal program at ACJPS. 

Documented names of the victim's

• Sharif Adam Yasir (m) is a leader within the native administration of the Zagawa tribe.
• Abakar Adam Mohamed Abdul Gadim Tahit (m), head of native administration of Darr
• Abdallah Ibrahim Dahia (m).
• Adam Elshekh (m), member of the native administration within Abu Shook IDP camp with the title of Omdah (Mayor)
• Adam Ibrahim Ahmed (m), professor and dean of the Medical Faculty at El-Fasher University, is also a Muslim Imam at the mosque.
• Ahmed Abdallah Mahmoud (m).
• Ahmed Abrahum Ismail (m)
• Ahmed Adam Isa (m)
• Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim (m)
• Ahmed Adam Ali Hussan (male), a public servant employed by the Central Darfur State.
• Alamin Jorn (m)
• Alfaki Shien (m), Islamic traditional Sheikh
• Ali Ismail Dudo (m)
• Alsadiq Abakar Adam (m).
• Assad Abdul Mohamed Khalil (m)
• Eldoma Haroun (m)
• Fadul Allah Alsaim Kabir (m)
• Habib Ibrahim Abdul Rahman (m), a professional teacher.
• Ahmed Mohamed Abdallah, also known as Hamoda (m), a popular Football player in El-Fasher.
• Hassan Rasheed Mahmkud (m)
• Hassan Salih Abakar (m)
• Hussien Elnoor Adam (m)
• Huzifa Adam Ibrahim Ahmed (m)
• Ibrahim Dafallah Musa (m)
• Ishaq Ibrahim Juma (m)
• Ismail Fedail (m), a police officer holding the rank of Lieutenant.    
• Kasham Ali Nile (male), native administrator with the title of Mayor. 
• Khamis Zakarya Abdallah (m)
• Malik Adam Ibrahim Ahmed (m)
• Mawia Hassan Ali Saed (male), a public servant, employed at El-Fasher University. 
• Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed (m)
• Mohamed Isa Yousef (m)
• Mohamed Osman Abdul Rahman Hassan (m)
• Mohamed Yahya (m)
• Mohamed Alhafiz Hassan (m), public servant with the El-Fasher local council.
• Mohamed Zakarya (m), Director of Mashad NGO in El-Fasher. 
• Mubarak Mohamed Ahmed (m)
• Musa Daoud Yousef (m)
• Musa Eldoma Abubakar (m)
• Mustafa Shoysha Adam (m), a leader (omdah) with the native administration of Dar Biery, located within the Kutom locality, west of El-Fasher
• Omer Ishaq (m), medical doctor.
• Osman Abdallah Mohamed (m).
• Salah Mohamed Abakar (m)
• Sami, also known as Wad Al-Nile (m)
• Shareef Adam Hamdan (m).
• Yahya Salih Abakar(m) the Mosque Mouzin