A recently released video from El-Fasher, Sudan, is raising serious questions about the international media narrative surrounding the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The footage, recorded on November 5, 2025, features Dr. Ishaq Issa Abdul Mahmoud, a pediatric consultant and associate professor at El-Fasher University, who speaks directly from the hospital where he and his colleagues continue to provide medical care. His message sharply contradicts reports circulating in mainstream outlets that portray chaos, targeting of civilians, and mistreatment of medical personnel following the RSF’s entry into the city.
“The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered El-Fashr on Monday. We are treating children, and all the medical staff who were appointed are present. There is no staff member being mistreated or harmed,” Dr. Mahmoud says in the video. “Thanks be to God, all of us are in good health. None of our staff members have been killed, and we have not witnessed any bad treatment.”
Dr. Mahmoud further appeals to the Sudanese and international medical communities not to believe unverified rumors. “This is the truth from inside El-Fashr. God willing, we are all safe and in good health, and the treatment we have received has been good here in El-Fashr,” he concludes.
Countering Misinformation
The statement directly disputes the widespread media reports, allegedly supported by Saudi, Turkish, Egyptian, and Yemeni media outlets, that claim RSF forces have attacked hospitals and medical staff. The video, now circulating across digital platforms, suggests that these claims may be part of an orchestrated propaganda campaign to influence international perception of the conflict.
Ground Realities vs. Propaganda
While independent verification remains limited due to restricted media access in Darfur, Dr. Mahmoud’s testimony offers a rare on-ground perspective from within a functioning hospital under RSF control. His calm and composed message highlights ongoing healthcare operations and safety for medical professionals, a narrative rarely reflected in international headlines.
