Sudan's Worst Massacres: Commander Abu Lulu Embodies Brutal Descent into Cruelty
The face of terror in Sudan has become all too familiar - that of Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, alias Abu Lulu. The bearded commander with medium-length hair and an uncanny ability to smile while killing unarmed civilians has captured the world's attention through a series of disturbing videos.
Last week, Abu Lulu was arrested by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the group he claims to represent, as part of a concerted effort to distance itself from atrocities committed in Darfur. The city of el-Fasher, which fell under RSF control 18 months ago, has seen at least 1,500 civilians killed since the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) withdrew.
Abu Lulu's rise to infamy began last year, when he was linked to a series of killings across Sudan. Witnesses claim his actions were not random acts of violence but deliberate performances meant to intimidate and inflame ethnic tensions. Footage shows him killing two prisoners of war in al-Jaili, north of Khartoum; participating in the killing of 31 civilians in Omdurman's Al-Salha neighborhood; and executing more than 16 captured soldiers in West Kordofan state's Al-Khuwair locality.
The commander's methods are chilling. He often uses multiple bullets to maim and kill, with no attempt to execute a single headshot. Witnesses describe his demeanor on camera as narcissistic, with Abu Lulu appearing to enjoy the attention of his actions.
In one live TikTok session, Abu Lulu boasted about killing "2,000 people" and admitted he had "lost count". The session sparked both applause and alarm among RSF-affiliated users, some praising him as a "hero", while others urged him to stop filming.
However, the paramilitary group's denials of responsibility have done little to alleviate concerns. Senior RSF sources claim Abu Lulu was not formally part of the group, but rather led a "coalition force" allied with it since the war began. The RSF's official spokesperson and leader also echoed this line, promising accountability for his actions.
Yet, scepticism remains, with rights organisations and analysts pointing to the RSF's history of distancing itself from field commanders implicated in atrocities as a familiar tactic. This allows the force to preserve its image while maintaining operational ties to local militias.
Abu Lulu is a symbol of Sudan's brutal unraveling. His grinning face before the camera stands as a haunting reminder of the struggles the country faces. As the war continues, one thing is clear: justice seems distant for those who have suffered at his hands.
The face of terror in Sudan has become all too familiar - that of Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, alias Abu Lulu. The bearded commander with medium-length hair and an uncanny ability to smile while killing unarmed civilians has captured the world's attention through a series of disturbing videos.
Last week, Abu Lulu was arrested by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the group he claims to represent, as part of a concerted effort to distance itself from atrocities committed in Darfur. The city of el-Fasher, which fell under RSF control 18 months ago, has seen at least 1,500 civilians killed since the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) withdrew.
Abu Lulu's rise to infamy began last year, when he was linked to a series of killings across Sudan. Witnesses claim his actions were not random acts of violence but deliberate performances meant to intimidate and inflame ethnic tensions. Footage shows him killing two prisoners of war in al-Jaili, north of Khartoum; participating in the killing of 31 civilians in Omdurman's Al-Salha neighborhood; and executing more than 16 captured soldiers in West Kordofan state's Al-Khuwair locality.
The commander's methods are chilling. He often uses multiple bullets to maim and kill, with no attempt to execute a single headshot. Witnesses describe his demeanor on camera as narcissistic, with Abu Lulu appearing to enjoy the attention of his actions.
In one live TikTok session, Abu Lulu boasted about killing "2,000 people" and admitted he had "lost count". The session sparked both applause and alarm among RSF-affiliated users, some praising him as a "hero", while others urged him to stop filming.
However, the paramilitary group's denials of responsibility have done little to alleviate concerns. Senior RSF sources claim Abu Lulu was not formally part of the group, but rather led a "coalition force" allied with it since the war began. The RSF's official spokesperson and leader also echoed this line, promising accountability for his actions.
Yet, scepticism remains, with rights organisations and analysts pointing to the RSF's history of distancing itself from field commanders implicated in atrocities as a familiar tactic. This allows the force to preserve its image while maintaining operational ties to local militias.
Abu Lulu is a symbol of Sudan's brutal unraveling. His grinning face before the camera stands as a haunting reminder of the struggles the country faces. As the war continues, one thing is clear: justice seems distant for those who have suffered at his hands.
this is so disturbing... Abu Lulu's smile is literally creepy 
and how can he do that to innocent people? 1,500 civilians dead since the SAF withdrew? That's like, totally unacceptable 
. I'm so tired of these brutal leaders and their tactics of terrorizing communities. How can we bring justice to those who suffered at his hands when it feels like nobody is taking responsibility 
?
. Can't we just hold them accountable for their actions? This isn't about politics or power, it's about human lives being lost 
.
. We need to do better than that.
1500+ civilians killed since the SAF withdrew from el-Fasher is just insane what is going on in Sudan right now? the RSF's denials of responsibility don't really convince me either it sounds like they're just trying to cover their tracks 
. His actions are not random, but calculated to intimidate and inflame ethnic tensions. The RSF's denials of responsibility have done little to alleviate concerns 
rather than focusing solely on Abu Lulu himself. We need to hold those in power accountable for their actions 
, especially when it comes to human rights violations.
, but one thing is clear: justice seems distant for those who have suffered at his hands 
.
he's just a psychopath with a camera and a smile, killin innocent civilians left & right. 1,500+ ppl dead in el-fasher alone? that's wild 
like, how long do u think it'll take them 2 admit responsibility? 
its sad that these ppl r still makin headlines 4 the wrong reasons ... abu lulu's actions r just another example of how some people use power 2 harm & intimidate others ... no matter wut side u take, innocent ppl on both sides hv suffered 
this guy abu lulu is literally evil 
and loves being in front of the camera 
the rsf trying to distance themselves but it's all just a show 
meanwhile abu lulu gets to smile and laugh while people die 
1,500+ dead is no joke 
justice needs to be served ASAP 
.
. And what's with this "coalition force" nonsense from RSF? Sounds like they're just trying to cover their own butts 
. Newsflash: Abu Lulu's face is now synonymous with terror in Sudan, and justice for victims is still a long way off 
️
. It's heartbreaking to think that there are people like him, who enjoy watching others suffer and get away with it 
. The fact that he can smile while killing unarmed civilians is just mind-boggling 
. His actions are not just brutal, but also calculated to inflame ethnic tensions and manipulate public opinion 
. The RSF's tactics of distancing themselves from field commanders implicated in atrocities is just a way to maintain a veneer of respectability while still being complicit in the violence 
. Abu Lulu's arrest may be a step in the right direction, but it's just one part of a much larger problem 
.
...and to make matters worse, some people are actually applauding him for what he did 
.
it's like Groundhog Day over there. I just wish justice would catch up to Abu Lulu and his crew, but till then... 
Can't believe he's got a fanbase on TikTok 
and it's crazy how he can just smile while killing people 
like, who does that?! and the RSF trying to distance themselves from him but it's just a tactic to save face 
needs to be held accountable ASAP 
and abu lulu is literally the face of terror in sudan hes got this aura around him that makes u feel uneasy like he's enjoying all the violence 
and lets keep an eye out for more ppl like abu lulu being held accountable for their actions 