Sudan Conflict Enters ‘Beheading’ Stage

Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan amidst his forces in the eastern part of the country (Archive - SUNA)
Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan amidst his forces in the eastern part of the country (Archive - SUNA)
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Sudan Conflict Enters ‘Beheading’ Stage

Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan amidst his forces in the eastern part of the country (Archive - SUNA)
Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan amidst his forces in the eastern part of the country (Archive - SUNA)

Sudanese soldiers have shared a disturbing video showing severed heads, claiming they belong to militants from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Some parties in Sudan accused the “Muslim Brotherhood militia,” fighting alongside the army, and extremist groups like “Al-Qaeda” and “ISIS” of being responsible.

The video, widely circulated on social media Thursday night, features soldiers wielding knives, admitting to the beheadings, and threatening similar treatment for the RSF.

The shocking scenes bring to mind the modus operandi of ISIS, documenting the beheading of dozens of hostages, victims, and slaughtered soldiers in Syria.

This has raised concerns locally, regionally, and internationally about potential chaos and security issues in Sudan, possibly leading to the relocation of extremist and terrorist groups.

On its part, the Sudanese army said it is investigating the video and vowed to punish any soldiers involved.

"We follow the rules of war and won't tolerate misconduct like that of the RSF,” army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah said on Friday.

Meanwhile, the RSF condemned the beheading of three people as extremist criminal acts based on ethnicity and politics, calling on the international community to condemn the violence.

RSF spokesperson Fatih Qarshi cautioned that while the paramilitary group holds thousands of army fighters as prisoners, they refuse to resort to the same level of inhumanity displayed towards their own members.

Sudanese political groups openly accuse Islamist militias, known as “Brotherhood militias,” fighting alongside the army against the RSF, of involvement in the clashes.

Since the war erupted between the army and RSF last April, these Islamist groups have mobilized their followers to join the fight alongside the army.

Sudan’s main civilian coalition, the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), acknowledged seeing a video showing the severed heads of two victims.

They condemned the act as shocking and terroristic, akin to the practices of the ousted regime led by Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist party, known for their history of crimes and terrorism, along with their extremist allies.

In a statement, the FFC called for the trial of all involved as war criminals, emphasizing that turning a blind eye to such crimes implicates leaders and officials.



Israeli Airstrikes Hit Buildings Near Beirut Airport

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Israeli Airstrikes Hit Buildings Near Beirut Airport

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 26 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based.
The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes.