A mass grave containing the bodies of at least 25 people has reportedly been discovered in Sudan’s southeastern Blue Nile state after the Sudanese army recaptured the strategic town of Kurmuk, according to local officials. The discovery has raised fresh concerns over alleged atrocities committed during Sudan’s ongoing civil war, with local sources accusing forces linked to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of involvement in the killings. The allegations have not been independently verified. Kurmuk, located near Sudan’s border with Ethiopia, has emerged as an important strategic point in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The town has witnessed intense fighting as both sides have sought to strengthen their positions in the region. Following the army’s recapture of Kurmuk, local authorities reportedly found the mass grave and began efforts to recover and identify the victims. Local sources said women and children may be among those killed, although further investigation is required to establish the identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The discovery comes amid a broader pattern of allegations of mass killings, forced displacement and other serious abuses reported across Sudan since the war erupted in April 2023. The conflict between the army and the RSF has devastated large parts of the country, killed and injured thousands of people and forced millions from their homes. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that civilians remain at extreme risk, particularly in areas where front lines shift rapidly and access for independent monitors is severely restricted. The reported mass grave in Kurmuk is likely to intensify calls for an independent investigation into alleged violations of international humanitarian law and for those responsible for attacks against civilians to be held accountable. However, establishing responsibility will require credible forensic evidence, identification of the victims and independent access to the site. The latest discovery underscores the continuing human cost of Sudan’s war and highlights the growing international concern over alleged atrocities committed against civilians as fighting continues across the country.
Mass graves discovered in Kurmu after army returns to control
