URGENT UPDATE: Social media influencers from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are intensifying their online assault against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commit horrific massacres in the city of el-Fasher. This alarming situation escalated on Sunday when the RSF launched a brutal offensive, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and leaving the city—home to 260,000 inhabitants—under siege for over 500 days.
As the RSF’s violence unfolds, influencers have taken to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to shift the blame toward the SAF. Emirati analyst Amjad Taha, a frequent media commentator, has been at the forefront of this narrative, labeling the SAF as “the Hamas of Africa.” His controversial comparisons come in the wake of a tragic incident involving an Israeli family captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Taha claims that a similar fate befell a Sudanese family, allegedly targeted by the SAF. However, the authenticity of his claims is under scrutiny, with evidence lacking to substantiate the family’s connection to the RSF.
In a striking move, Israel’s official Arabic language account shared images of both families to illustrate Taha’s point, stating, “The terrorism of those who call themselves ‘the Muslim Brotherhood’ is the same savage terrorism everywhere.” The account emphasized the shared suffering of civilians in both conflicts, but critics question the accuracy and motivation behind these claims.
The UAE’s influencers, including Meera Zayed and Hassan Sajwani, are echoing this sentiment, arguing that the SAF is influenced by Muslim Brotherhood ideology. Zayed claimed, “The Muslim Brotherhood-led army in Sudan are the Hamas of Africa,” while Sajwani attributed the ongoing violence to the group’s insistence on maintaining war for power.
This online campaign comes amid heightened scrutiny of the UAE’s role in Sudan, with critics accusing the country of supporting the RSF. Influencers have rallied to defend the UAE, suggesting that accusations against it are part of a coordinated effort to undermine its reputation due to its stance against Hamas.
Meanwhile, as the humanitarian crisis deepens, with over 13 million displaced since the violence erupted in April 2023, the RSF has been accused of committing widespread atrocities, including genocide in Darfur. The ongoing conflict erupted from tensions between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, over military integration plans.
The situation is grave, with ongoing reports of massacres and war crimes attributed to both the RSF and SAF. As the RSF continues its violent campaign in el-Fasher, the international community watches closely, with calls for accountability growing louder.
WHAT’S NEXT: The coming days will be crucial as humanitarian organizations assess the situation on the ground. Social media narratives may continue to evolve, influencing public perception and international response. Authorities and human rights groups are urged to investigate the accusations of war crimes and provide support to affected civilians.
As this story develops, it remains imperative for those following global news to stay informed on the rapidly changing dynamics in Sudan and the implications for regional stability. The urgent need for humanitarian aid and intervention cannot be overstated as the conflict continues to escalate.
