Fact-Check: Viral Video Falsely Claims Sudanese Mother Protecting Children in Al-Fashir
A video circulating widely on social media depicts a woman and three children huddled together on the grass, seemingly under duress. The accompanying claim alleges that the footage shows a Sudanese mother desperately trying to protect her children from armed individuals in Al-Fashir, West Sudan. However, a thorough fact-check reveals this claim to be inaccurate. The video is not recent and does not relate to the latest events in Al-Fashir.
The Truth Behind the Video
The video’s origins trace back to September 12, 2025. Analysis using tools like Invid shows that the video was first posted on TikTok by Ahmat Mourno Djouma (@ahmat.mourno.djou3) without any context. Additional seconds of footage reveal a hand reaching out to comfort a frightened child. Djouma’s social media presence suggests he is a fighter, often seen in military attire near armed vehicles.
The Situation in Al-Fashir
The dissemination of this video coincides with reports of widespread killings and atrocities against civilians in Al-Fashir. According to reports from Agence France-Presse, these accounts come from local activists, international organizations, and satellite imagery. The commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), محمد حمدان دقلو, expressed regret for the situation. The World Health Organization reported that over 460 people were killed in a hospital in Al-Fashir.
The Ongoing Conflict and Its Impact
The conflict in Sudan, which began in mid-April 2023 between the army led by عبد الفتاح البرهان and the RSF led by محمد حمدان دقلو, has led to a humanitarian crisis. The RSF’s recent control over Al-Fashir has raised concerns about further division and potential atrocities, echoing the events in Darfur earlier this century. The United Nations has described the situation as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with millions facing severe hunger and displacement. More than 36,000 people have been displaced due to the violence in Al-Fashir since Sunday.
The RSF’s control over Al-Fashir has raised fears of a new division of Sudan and a repeat of the massacres that occurred in the Darfur region at the beginning of this century. The situation is dire, with limited access to independent local sources and communication restricted.
Source: Annahar
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