A 12-year-old Sudanese boy, Abdiwahab, recounts the harrowing experience of being accused of spying and beaten by paramilitary forces in el-Fasher. His account is part of a growing body of testimony from those who have fled the city, which has fallen to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid the country's ongoing civil war.
Abdiwahab joined his family in trying to escape as their city fell to the RSF, but they were separated during the chaos. He was alone when he arrived at the town of Tawila after a 3-day walk, and there he recounted the brutal assault by the RSF fighters who accused him of espionage.
His voice trembling with fear and fatigue, Abdiwahab described being beaten "many times" by the paramilitary group and being forced to flee. The young boy was injured during his escape and still receives treatment for his wounds.
This case is part of a larger pattern of atrocities committed by the RSF in el-Fasher, where mass killings have been reported. According to estimates from Save the Children, more than 260,000 civilians are trapped in the city, facing famine-like conditions and no safe route out.
The UN has acknowledged violations in el-Fasher, with a senior official stating that the RSF had given notice of arrests. The situation remains dire for those caught up in the conflict, where aid workers are increasingly at risk due to violence from both sides.
Abdiwahab's harrowing account raises concerns about child soldiers and their treatment by warring parties. His story highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection for civilians caught in the midst of Sudan's ongoing crisis.
The report comes as the international community struggles to respond effectively to the growing refugee crisis in Sudan, with aid agencies warning of rising food insecurity and limited access to healthcare services.
As more people flee el-Fasher and other besieged cities, they are sharing their accounts of suffering at the hands of paramilitary forces. These stories serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the need for urgent action from governments and humanitarian organizations around the world.
Abdiwahab joined his family in trying to escape as their city fell to the RSF, but they were separated during the chaos. He was alone when he arrived at the town of Tawila after a 3-day walk, and there he recounted the brutal assault by the RSF fighters who accused him of espionage.
His voice trembling with fear and fatigue, Abdiwahab described being beaten "many times" by the paramilitary group and being forced to flee. The young boy was injured during his escape and still receives treatment for his wounds.
This case is part of a larger pattern of atrocities committed by the RSF in el-Fasher, where mass killings have been reported. According to estimates from Save the Children, more than 260,000 civilians are trapped in the city, facing famine-like conditions and no safe route out.
The UN has acknowledged violations in el-Fasher, with a senior official stating that the RSF had given notice of arrests. The situation remains dire for those caught up in the conflict, where aid workers are increasingly at risk due to violence from both sides.
Abdiwahab's harrowing account raises concerns about child soldiers and their treatment by warring parties. His story highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection for civilians caught in the midst of Sudan's ongoing crisis.
The report comes as the international community struggles to respond effectively to the growing refugee crisis in Sudan, with aid agencies warning of rising food insecurity and limited access to healthcare services.
As more people flee el-Fasher and other besieged cities, they are sharing their accounts of suffering at the hands of paramilitary forces. These stories serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the need for urgent action from governments and humanitarian organizations around the world.
Abdiwahab's story is like something out of a nightmare, you know? and it makes me think about how we as a global community are still struggling to respond to crises like this one. i mean, 260k civilians trapped in el-Fasher with no safe route out... it's heartbreaking 
it's like, where does the humanity go? i guess this is why we need more voices like Abdiwahab coming forward to share their stories and raise awareness about what's really going on in places like Sudan.
we need to do better as a global community to support those affected by conflict and war.
And now he's still getting treated for his wounds, can you even imagine how traumatic that must be for a kid?! 
And what's with all these mass killings and famine-like conditions? Can't anyone do anything about it?! 
It's like we're just sitting here watching as innocent people suffer and die... 
it's not just the physical injuries he sustained but the emotional toll of being separated from his family during the chaos... 
what's even more alarming is the scale of this crisis, over 260k civilians trapped in el-Fasher with no safe route out and facing famine-like conditions... it's a ticking time bomb just waiting to unleash humanitarian disasters on us all... 
the fact that aid workers are being targeted due to violence from both sides makes it even more challenging for organizations to provide help... 
we need governments and humanitarian agencies to step up their response and provide immediate assistance to those in need before it's too late... 
I mean, 260k people trapped in el-Fasher with no way out? That's like a nightmare come true 
And to think the RSF is basically just beating and accusing anyone they want of espionage... it's like they're above the law 
The fact that aid workers are even at risk of being hurt by both sides is just terrifying 
And the international community needs to support humanitarian efforts, we can't just sit back and watch this unfold 
we need more people to listen and act on these stories so we can make some real change happen.
, it's heartbreaking that kids are being used as cannon fodder in this war 