Location of Incident: El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State.
Impact Location: Al-Burhaniya Square shelter center at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585.
Date: The exact date of the fire could not be accurately determined, but cross-referencing media and social media reports and satellite imagery suggests that the fire likely broke out on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Time: The exact time of the fire could not be determined. Initial reports show that clashes in El Geneina began at around 8:31 AM local time on April 24, 2023. Satellite imagery indicates that the shelter centers, including Al-Burhaniya Square shelter, were likely burned on April 25, 2023.
Victims: The exact number of victims could not be confirmed, but news and civil society reports claimed dozens were killed or injured in shelters during this period in El Geneina.
Type of Incident: Fire.
Weapons Used: Unknown.
Possible Perpetrators: Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, the Sudanese Armed Forces, or other militias from outside the city.

Content Warning

This investigation contains graphic content in the Destruction section, comprising visuals of animals killed in the incident. Sources containing graphic audiovisual material are accompanied by warning notices. To request access to an unredacted version, please email us at: requests@sudanesearchive.org.

Introduction

Clashes occurring between April 24 and 27, 2023 within El Geneina city led to fires at displaced persons’ shelters, including Al-Burhaniya Square shelter center. The fire resulted in the near-total destruction of dozens of makeshift homes (tents, huts, and tarpaulins) inhabited by displaced persons, most of whom were reportedly from the Masalit tribe.

According to videos and images shared on social media, the incidents resulted in dozens killed and injured, with near-total destruction within the shelters, in addition to the displacement of their residents.

*A satellite image from Google Earth Pro showing Al-Burhaniya Square on April 19, 2023 at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585, captured by Sudanese Archive on June 29, 2024.*

*A satellite image from* *ESRI World Imagery Wayback* showing Al-Burhaniya Square shelter (highlighted in blue) and the other shelter centers (highlighted in white) along the A5 road on May 17, 2023, shows burn damage. Annotated by Sudanese Archive on the image captured on July 4, 2024.

Impact Location

Al-Burhaniya Square is located in Al-Majlis district in the center of El Geneina city. It adjoins the main A5 road, opposite several government institutions that were also being used as shelters, in addition to the West Darfur State police headquarters.

Satellite image of Al-Burhaniya Square on April 12, 2024 from Google Earth Pro captured by Sudanese Archive on April 29, 2024. Annotated by Sudanese Archive to show Al-Burhaniya Square at coordinates 22.441585, 13.435319, and the shelter centers nearby in the city of El Geneina.

Sudanese Archive could not determine an exact date for the transformation of Al-Burhaniya Square into a shelter, or the exact number of residents, but press reports described the formation of temporary shelters in El Geneina between 2019 and 2021.

To determine an approximate date for the transformation of Al-Burhaniya Square into a shelter, Sudanese Archive reviewed satellite images and was able to detect significant changes between January 31 and April 20, 2021. A satellite image on January 31, 2021 shows that Al-Burhaniya Square was absent of any tents or huts; while dividing barriers, roads, and what resemble residential blocks of tents appear in a satellite image on April 20, 2021.

*Above is a Google Earth satellite image of Al-Burhaniya Square on January 31, 2021. Below is a satellite image from* *ESRI World Imagery Wayback* *of the same square on April 20, 2021. Annotated by Sudanese Archive on the two images captured on June 29, 2024.*

Further satellite images show the stages of development of the shelter in Al-Burhaniya Square and the presence of tents and huts in the square continuing up until April 19, 2023, days before the incident.

Animated satellite images from Google Earth Pro showing the transformation of Al-Burhaniya Square into a shelter between January 2021 and April 2023, captured and compiled by Sudanese Archive on February 8, 2024.

What Happened and When

News websites and social media accounts circulated reports, accompanied by photos and videos, claiming that clashes occurred in El Geneina between April 24 and 28, 2023, and that shelter centers, including at Al-Burhaniya Square, were burned. These incidents allegedly resulted in near-total destruction of the shelter and the displacement of its residents, in addition to allegations of killing and injuring of people in the city, which was also subjected to looting.

Initial Reports

The first report that Sudanese Archive obtained was at 8:31 AM local time on April 24, 2023, when El Geneina Radio journalist Enaam Al-Nour Muhammad reported news of "Clashes with light and heavy weapons since the morning in the city of El Geneina."

At 8:51 AM, a post on X (formerly Twitter) mentioned ongoing clashes in El Geneina between Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Al-Jamarik neighborhood.

*Screenshot from a* *post* *by the activist "Abu Ghareeb" on X, captured by Sudanese Archive on March 28, 2024.*

A post on X at 9:43 AM local time on April 24 mentioned eyewitness accounts that shooting had occurred between the RSF and SAF in Al-Jamarik neighborhood in the western part of the city and Al-Jabal neighborhood.

In a video purportedly showing burned areas in El Geneina, Abdelkhaleq Dodin, the Darfur governor's advisor for humanitarian affairs, blamed militias from outside the city for the attack and the burning of 10 shelters, as well as hospitals, clinics, water points and the city market; and for the siege of civilians and the looting of their homes and public facilities.

A video published on April 25, 2023 shows fires in the West Darfur State Police Headquarters (which is located at coordinates 13.434273, 22.438888), approximately 265 meters southwest of Al-Burhaniya Square (which is located at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585).

Satellite image of Al-Burhaniya Square on April 19, 2023 from Google Earth Pro captured by Sudanese Archive on February 15, 2024. Annotated by Sudanese Archive to indicate the distance between Al-Burhaniya Square and the West Darfur State Police Headquarters.

Photos posted on Facebook on April 28 claimed to show the aftermath of the fire at Al-Burhaniya Square shelter.

*Screenshot of a Facebook* *post* *captured by Sudanese Archive on February 8, 2024.*

Satellite images of central El Geneina city from NASA FIRMS showed heat signatures for April 25, 2023, while these signatures were absent for April 24, 26, and 27. Sudanese Archive identified Al-Burhaniya Square shelter as being within the areas covered by heat signatures, by comparing notable landmarks in the area.

*Satellite image comparison from* *NASA FIRMS* showing thermal indicators for the location of Al-Burhaniya Square shelter between April 24 and 27, 2023. The red marks indicate heat signatures from the area, and the blue marker indicates Al-Burhaniya Square, annotated by Sudanese Archive on the images captured on February 8, 2024.

Two satellite images taken from Google Earth on April 19, 2023 and from ESRI World Imagery Wayback of the same location on May 17, 2023 showed the effects of the fire that impacted Al-Burhaniya Square.

*At the top is a Google Earth Pro satellite image taken on April 19, 2023 showing Al-Burhaniya Square at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585. Below is an* *ESRI World Imagery Wayback* *satellite image of the same location taken on May 17, 2023, showing the effects of the fire. Annotated by Sudanese Archive on images captured on June 30, 2024.*

On the night of April 29, 2023, Benjamin Strick posted on X an annotated satellite image from Planet Labs PBC showing fire damage at several locations in El Geneina, including Al-Burhaniya Square shelter center; the satellite image from Planet Labs PBC was dated April 28, 2023. A subsequent image posted on April 30 also showed the effects of burning of the Al-Burhaniya Square shelter center, along with other nearby shelters and institutions.

*Image from Benjamin Strick's* *post* on X: This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC on April 28 shows burned areas in El Geneina. The white annotations are from the source, while the light blue square placed by Sudanese Archive identifies Al-Burhaniya Square shelter center at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585; image captured on March 28, 2024.

*Image from Benjamin Strick's* *post* on X: This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC on April 30 shows burned areas in El Geneina. The white annotations are from the source, while the light blue square placed by Sudanese Archive identifies Al-Burhaniya Square shelter center at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585; image captured on March 28, 2024.

Online reports, satellite images and analysis confirm the burning of shelter centers in El Geneina, including the shelter in Al-Burhaniya Square, between April 24 and 27, 2023. Based on the sources above including NASA FIRMS data, Sudanese Archive suggests that the fires likely occurred on April 25, 2023.

Geographic Locations

Photos and videos posted online show the aftermath of fires that burned Al-Burhaniya Square shelter.

Impact Location: Al-Burhaniya Square

Coordinates: 13.435319, 22.441585

Photos posted on Facebook on April 28, 2023 claimed to show the destruction at Al-Burhaniya Square after the fires.

*Collected* *photos* *from a Facebook post purportedly showing the aftermath of fire at Al-Burhaniya Square shelter at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585, captured by Sudanese Archive on February 8, 2024.*

*At the top is a* *photo* from a Facebook post purportedly showing Al-Burhaniya Square after the fire, below is a Google Earth Pro satellite image at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585 showing Al-Burhaniya Square April 19, 2023 before the fire, annotated by Sudanese Archive on images captured on February 8, 2024.

Destruction

Based on the available video, photos and satellite images, the fire that affected Al-Burhaniya Square shelter caused almost complete destruction to the shelter, affecting most of the tents, huts, and property. Videos (graphic) and photos show remnants of fires, the destruction and burning of huts, burned trees, household utensils, and furniture; damage to water tanks and wooden transport vehicles (‘cart transporters’); collapse of corrugated metal (‘zinc’) roofs; and dead animals, in addition to signs of smoke on the stone buildings, the stage, and the fences in the square.

*Screenshots from a* *video* *(graphic) posted by Fajr Al-Sudan Channel on May 1, 2023, showing burned cart transporters. Image captured and cropped by Sudanese Archive on February 16, 2024.*

*Screenshots from a* *video* *(graphic) posted by Fajr Al-Sudan Channel on May 1, 2023, showing the death of animals. Images captured, cropped and blurred by Sudanese Archive on February 16, 2024.*

*Screenshots from a* *video* (graphic) posted by Fajr Al-Sudan Channel on May 1, 2023, showing property damage, burnt beds, remains of ‘zinc’ roofs, a bicycle, remains of household utensils, a handcart, and ash on the ground, captured and cropped by Sudanese Archive on February 16, 2024.

*Screenshot from a* *video* *(graphic) posted by Fajr Al-Sudan Channel on May 1, 2023, showing the destruction of Al-Burhaniya Square Shelter center, captured by Sudanese Archive on February 3, 2024.*

A satellite image from ESRI World Imagery Wayback taken on May 17, 2023 shows most of the area of the square burned and the tents and huts destroyed, except for the stone buildings that were affected by the fire but the images do not show them collapsing.

*Satellite image from* *ESRI World Imagery Wayback* on May 17, 2023 showing Al-Burhaniya Square (light blue square) at coordinates 13.435319, 22.441585, appearing to be almost completely burned, captured and annotated by Sudanese Archive on June 29, 2024.

A subsequent satellite image from Google Earth on April 12, 2024 shows that Al-Burhaniya Square is empty of any tents or huts, implying that all those who lived in the shelter have been displaced.

*Satellite image from Google Earth Pro on April 12, 2024, showing Al-Burhaniya Square completely empty of shelter structures, captured and annotated by Sudanese Archive on June 30, 2024.*

Conclusion

Based on the detailed information above, it can be confirmed that Al-Burhaniya Square shelter in El Geneina was burned, leading to its near-total destruction, and implying that the residents were displaced. Initial reports, and analysis of images, videos and satellite imagery state that the shelter was burned between April 24 and April 27, 2023, with the most likely date as April 25. Sudanese Archive could not accurately determine the presence of fatalities at Al-Burhaniya Square shelter.

Visual content, witness testimonies, reports circulated by local media and activists, international civil society and UN reports, and satellite imagery analysis, confirm extensive destruction in multiple shelters across the city, pointing to a deliberate and systematic campaign of destruction against internally displaced persons’ shelters. Sudanese Archive was not able to independently determine who was responsible for the burning of the shelter centers, but reports shared online pointed to the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, the Sudanese Armed Forces, or other militias from outside the city as involved in fighting in El Geneina during this period, and as potentially responsible for the attacks on the shelter centers.

.css-68jq5d{padding-bottom:1.45rem;color:#ffffff;-webkit-transition:0.25s;transition:0.25s;}.css-68jq5d:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}INVESTIGATIONS

Investigation into the Burning, and Displacement of Residents of Al-Burhaniya Square Shelter Center

Table Of Contents

INVESTIGATIONS