Sudanese armed forces have discovered at least 25 bodies in a mass grave in the southeastern Blue Nile State, with local officials accusing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the killings. The grave was found in the town of Kurmuk, a month after the Sudanese army regained control of the area following weeks of intense fighting.

Abdel Aty Mohamed al-Faki, the commissioner of Kurmuk, announced the discovery on Sunday, according to The Sudan Tribune. He stated that the Sudanese army found the grave during sweeping operations in the northeastern part of the town. The remains included those of children, women, and hospital staff.

Al-Faki indicated that the victims were executed near Jebel Fankat, a hilltop position that the RSF had utilized for drone attacks during their assault on the region. No immediate comment was available from the RSF regarding the accusations.

The discovery in Kurmuk is considered significant and disturbing, especially as RSF attacks continue in Blue Nile State. Al Jazeera’s Almigdad al-Ruhaid reported that the RSF has launched explosive drone attacks in Kurmuk for the second consecutive day, underscoring the ongoing conflict despite shifts in territorial control and resulting in significant civilian displacement.

The RSF, which has been engaged in conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023, has previously faced accusations of carrying out mass killings in other areas, including the capital, Khartoum, the city of el-Fasher, and Gezeira state. These allegations contribute to a grim pattern of violence reported in the ongoing civil war.

Intense fighting is also reported in West Darfur, a key stronghold for the RSF. The Sudanese armed forces are said to be repelling RSF attacks in Bir Saliba, approximately 40km from el-Geneina, indicating a widespread and active conflict across multiple regions of Sudan.

The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 40,000 people killed according to the World Health Organization. The war has also forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes, creating one of the world's largest displacement crises.

This discovery in Kurmuk highlights the ongoing brutality of the conflict and raises further concerns about human rights abuses. The situation remains volatile, with continued fighting and displacement compounding the suffering of the Sudanese population.