RSF accused of killing doctor, looting town after capture in North Darfur

April 11, 2025 (UM KADDADA) – North Darfur state’s health ministry accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday of executing the medical director of Um Kaddada hospital while he was working inside the facility.

The accusation follows the RSF’s announcement on Thursday that it had captured the town of Um Kaddada, east of the state capital El Fasher, after fierce fighting. The alleged killing of Dr. Nour al-Din Adam Abdel Shafi occurred amid reports of increasing violence and abuses against civilians in the town.

“The Rapid Support Forces militia executed doctor Nour al-Din Adam Abdel Shafi inside Um Kaddada Hospital this Friday morning while he was carrying out his professional and humanitarian duties,” the health ministry said in a statement received by the Sudan Tribune.

The RSF’s capture of Um Kaddada is seen as part of its effort to tighten a siege on El Fasher and protect its supply lines on the Western Salvation Road from potential attacks by the Sudanese army and allied forces moving from the Kordofan region.

Separately, local sources told Sudan Tribune that RSF forces had overrun Um Kaddada, looting the main market and numerous civilian homes. They also reportedly confiscated Starlink satellite internet devices.

The sources added that the RSF carried out executions of dozens of citizens, including patients receiving treatment at the Um Kaddada rural hospital, representing a severe escalation of the humanitarian and security crisis in the region.