15-21 February 2026 Sudan News Summary: Worsening conditions in camps, drone strikes, and ‘hallmarks of genocide’ in El Fasher

22 Feb

Arabic news roundup

By William Greenwood

The General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur revealed on Friday the dire humanitarian situation in displacement camps, warning of a worsening famine risk and deteriorating living conditions due to the continued shortage of food aid.
Displacement camps in several Sudanese states have been facing deteriorating humanitarian conditions for months, amid a decline in the scale of the humanitarian response and difficulties in delivering aid which has led to a widening gap in basic needs, particularly food, water, health services, and education.
Adam Rijal, spokesperson for the General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, said that displacement camps in Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, as large numbers of displaced people rely on relief to meet their daily needs.
He confirmed that the World Food Programme has reduced food rations by 50%, which has exacerbated the suffering of displaced people who depend primarily on such aid, and noted that the current conditions are worse than before and have contributed to widespread famine.
From: Sudan Tribune

At least one person was killed and others sustained varying injuries after the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu targeted the city of Kurmuk in Blue Nile State with drones.
Abdel-Ati Mohamed al-Faki, the governor of Kurmuk, said in a statement that the drone attack targeted residential areas of the city and also disrupted operations at a grain mill.
In Sennar state, drones renewed their attacks on areas near al-Mazmum on Wednesday, with conflicting reports regarding the specific locations targeted.
Ground military operations on all fronts have witnessed a noticeable decline, while drone attacks have intensified in Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile, and Sennar, resulting in civilian casualties.

English news roundup

By Samuel Hunt

More than half a million people in Tawila camp in Darfur are living in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, safe water and healthcare after fleeing violence, including the siege and capture of El Fasher.
Millions of children have been displaced multiple times, ending up in overcrowded camps where their safety, education and basic routines have been shattered.
UNICEF is providing healthcare, nutrition support and child-friendly safe spaces, including psychosocial services, but warns that needs are rapidly increasing.
The agency says “needs are skyrocketing and the funding is dwindling,” leaving the most vulnerable children at greatest risk.

Source: UN

A UN fact-finding mission concluded that the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) siege and capture of El Fasher in North Darfur showed “hallmarks of genocide,” documenting systematic targeting, killings, sexual violence, and destruction directed at non-Arab communities, particularly the Zaghawa and Fur.
The report states that the RSF’s actions included ethnically targeted killings, widespread rape, torture, and deliberate conditions intended to contribute to the physical destruction of groups, and that the campaign was planned and endorsed by senior RSF leadership.
Thousands were killed, raped or disappeared in intense violence over just three days after the city fell, and the mission said the evidence shows genocidal intent rather than random wartime excess.
The findings have intensified calls for international accountability, with experts and governments urging action to protect civilians and pursue justice for crimes in El Fasher and across Sudan’s conflict.

Sources: UN, Al Jazeera English, BBC, The Guardian

Bill Greenwood