At dawn on 19 September, a mosque in El-Fasher, North Darfur, was struck during Fajr prayers, killing at least 43 people and injuring dozens, a medical network said, attributing responsibility to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The blast occurred near the Abu Shouk displacement camp in the Daraja Oula area. The UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Sudan said she was “gravely alarmed,” stressing that intentionally targeting a place of worship is a war crime and calling for an investigation.

Siege Conditions and UN Alarm

The mosque strike unfolded against a backdrop of a months-long RSF siege of El-Fasher, which has choked off food, medicine and relief operations. The UN’s top humanitarian official in Sudan said she was “gravely alarmed by an attack today that struck a mosque near the Abu Shouk camp … and claimed the lives of dozens of civilians,” adding that intentionally targeting worship sites is a war crime and urging accountability. Aid agencies warn the blockade has created catastrophic shortages for civilians.

Casualty Discrepancies and Calls for Accountability

Initial figures from medical workers put fatalities at no fewer than 43, with dozens wounded. As rescuers combed the rubble, officials and first responders reported sharply higher tolls—over 70 dead—while the army blamed an RSF drone strike; independent counts are still being verified. Humanitarian voices reiterated that those responsible must be held to account under international law, and urged unfettered access for investigators to establish the facts.

Wider War Toll and Strategic Context

El-Fasher is the last major city in Darfur outside RSF control and a lifeline for aid across the region. The civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions; some research suggests the nationwide death toll could be far higher than official counts. Recent field reporting underscores the intensity of the siege, with civilians facing starvation, disease and relentless attacks as front lines close around the city.