Sudan conflict intensifies as paramilitary attack kills 32 civilians in Kordofan

July 25, 2025 – 9:12 AM

A deadly assault in Sudan’s Kordofan region has left 32 civilians dead and over 50 injured, as the country’s civil war continues to spiral out of control. The attack, reportedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), took place in the village of Brima Rashid and marks one of the deadliest single incidents in the area in recent months.

Civilians targeted in Kordofan village assault

According to local sources and activist groups, the RSF launched a surprise raid on Brima Rashid late Wednesday night, continuing into early Thursday. Located just north of the contested town of al-Nahud, the village was overwhelmed by armed fighters. Reports from the Emergency Room, a conflict-monitoring network, confirmed 32 people killed — many of them from the same families — and dozens more wounded.

Footage and images shared online show overwhelmed medical stations, with aid workers struggling to treat the wounded due to a shortage of supplies and lack of safe transport routes.

Who are the Rapid Support Forces?

The RSF, formed from the Janjaweed militias known for their role in Darfur atrocities, is now a dominant armed faction in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. Since April 2023, they’ve been locked in a brutal power struggle with Sudan’s regular army, turning cities and villages into war zones.

Human rights organizations have accused the RSF of mass killings, sexual violence, looting, and ethnic targeting—particularly in Darfur and Kordofan. Despite mounting evidence, the group has yet to respond to inquiries about the recent killings in Brima Rashid.

Growing crisis in Sudan’s southern front

The Kordofan region, once relatively less affected by Sudan’s conflict, is now seeing a sharp rise in violence. Just last week, more than 300 people were killed across the region in similar attacks, according to the United Nations. Aid agencies say the situation is deteriorating rapidly, with access to food, shelter, and medical care at crisis levels.

The UN estimates that more than 24,000 people have died since the war began, though independent monitors suggest the actual toll could be far higher. Over 13 million people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan.

International calls for action

Despite repeated appeals, diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting remain stalled. Human rights groups are calling for international pressure to force a ceasefire and for independent investigations into war crimes.

In a statement, the Sudan Doctors’ Network condemned the Brima Rashid attack:

“The deliberate targeting of women, children, and the elderly reflects a complete disregard for human life and international law.”

Aid organizations say the violence has made it almost impossible to deliver humanitarian aid. In many areas, local volunteers are the only ones helping wounded civilians and displaced families.

A deepening humanitarian emergency

Sudan is now facing one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. Famine-like conditions are spreading. Hospitals have been destroyed or shut down. Schools and infrastructure are in ruins. An entire generation is growing up without access to education, health care, or safety.

The attack on Brima Rashid is a tragic reminder of what’s at stake. Without immediate action from the international community, more villages could face the same fate.

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