UK Sanctions Sudanese RSF Commander Linked to El-Fasher Massacre

Sat Dec 13 2025 16:21:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Brig Gen Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, implicated in the el-Fasher massacre, faces sanctions as the UK government condemns atrocities in Sudan.

The UK government has sanctioned Sudanese paramilitary commander Brig Gen Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, known as Abu Lulu, following a massacre in el-Fasher. Verified footage shows him executing unarmed captives. The UK also sanctioned additional RSF commanders. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the violence as a global conscience scar and pledged aid to affected civilians as the situation evolves in the ongoing Sudanese civil war.

The UK government has levied sanctions against Brig Gen Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, aka Abu Lulu, a commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), after his role in a massacre was surfaced by BBC Verify. The shocking footage reveals him shooting dead at least ten unarmed captives during the RSF's seizure of el-Fasher in late October, a city that had served as the last major stronghold for the army in Darfur before its fall.

According to reports, the violence in the area has left thousands dead since the army's withdrawal, with the UK Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, calling the atrocities occurring in Sudan a scar on the conscience of the world that cannot, and will not, go unpunished. Alongside Abu Lulu, three additional RSF commanders, including Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, have also received sanctions.

Dagalo, brother of the RSF chief Mohamed Hemedti Dagalo, was previously sanctioned by the EU and has been implicated in overseeing military operations during the el-Fasher takeover. The ongoing civil war in Sudan began over two years ago following the collapse of the fragile ruling coalition between the RSF and the military, leading to immense casualties and displacements of civilians.

Investigative efforts by BBC Verify detailed the brutal methods employed by the RSF during the protracted siege of el-Fasher, including the creation of a massive sand barrier to prevent the escape of civilians and military personnel. In a statement, the UK government noted that it believes Abu Lulu is responsible for ethnic and religious-based violence against civilians.

Evidence of Abu Lulu executing captives was confirmed via the aforementioned verified footage that depicted RSF troops celebrating his actions. The sanctions enacted include travel bans and asset freezes against all sanctioned individuals.

In light of the continued violence, the UK has pledged an additional £21 million aimed at providing food relief and essential services to communities impacted by the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Amidst this turmoil, US sanctions against individuals connected to the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries have also been announced, as international pressure mounts in response to the crisis in Sudan. The focus remains on preventing further atrocities and delivering humanitarian aid to those suffering from the violence.