As Sudan’s brutal conflict between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rages on, key SAF figures have emerged at the center of the violence.
Among them is Lt. Gen. Yasser Al-Atta, a close ally of SAF chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, whose role in the military’s operations has drawn increasing scrutiny.’;
Al-Atta: Al-Burhan’s Enforcer
Al-Atta, a member of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and assistant commander-in-chief of the SAF, is regarded as one of al-Burhan’s most loyal commanders and a key architect of the SAF’s war strategy. His rise within the military has been marked by aggressive rhetoric, attacks on civilian political groups, and an unwavering commitment to Sudan’s military rule.
In November 2024, Al-Atta launched a scathing attack on what he labeled “Janjaweed and Qahtists”, accusing them of infiltrating state institutions and obstructing governance. His remarks were widely seen as an attempt to deflect responsibility for the regime’s failures and justify continued military repression.
Additionally, Al-Atta has accused neighboring countries of supplying arms to the RSF, fueling diplomatic tensions. His claims—unsupported by credible evidence—reflect a conspiracy-driven narrative aimed at shifting focus away from mounting allegations of war crimes.
Mass Killings and Systematic Violence
Since the war erupted in April 2023, Sudan has witnessed a series of massacres, with thousands of civilians killed in repeated attacks on towns and villages.
While both the SAF and the RSF blame each other for atrocities, independent reports suggest that the SAF has carried out grave human rights violations under Al-Atta’s leadership.
Between June and August 2024, villages across Gezira state, including Wad al-Noura, Al-Adnabb, Wad al-Asha, Jalqani, Sheikh al-Samani, and Qoz al-Naqa, were subjected to brutal attacks, resulting in 419 deaths and over 420 injuries.
Al-Atta, in his leadership role within the SAF, is implicated in the failure to protect civilians and the escalation of hostilities.
The attacks devastated communities, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In October 2024, violence erupted in Eastern Gezira, killing more than 124 civilians and displacing approximately 119,000 people in just ten days. Reports documented 27 cases of sexual violence against women and girls aged 6 to 60, underscoring the scale of the atrocities.
Despite the severity of the situation, Al-Atta failed to take decisive measures to prevent further suffering or hold perpetrators accountable, allowing the cycle of violence to continue unchecked.
Meanwhile, urban centers including Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri have endured relentless shelling and airstrikes by SAF, leading to significant civilian casualties.
Local reports indicate that Al-Atta played a direct role in ordering indiscriminate bombardments, showing a blatant disregard for humanitarian concerns. The ongoing urban warfare has left entire neighborhoods in ruins, exacerbating the already dire conditions for civilians trapped in the conflict zones.
Denials and Calls for Accountability
SAF leaders, including Al-Atta, have repeatedly denied responsibility for war crimes, dismissing allegations as politically motivated. However, international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for independent investigations into potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Sudan’s military and other actors.
Recent UN and African Union reports have documented mass graves, arbitrary executions, and systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure, adding pressure on military leaders to face accountability.
The U.S. and European Union are weighing targeted sanctions against top Sudanese generals, including Al-Atta, for their role in orchestrating violence.
As the conflict drags on, Sudan’s civilians remain caught in the crossfire, bearing the brunt of a war driven by power struggles among military elites. With no clear resolution in sight, demands for justice—particularly against figures like Al-Atta, seen as Al-Burhan’s enforcer—are only expected to grow.
