Amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan, thousands are feared to have been killed in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control following nearly 18 months of siege. The RSF blockade reportedly cut off food and essential supplies, leaving hundreds of thousands trapped inside. Meanwhile, numerous videos have circulated online claiming to show Sudanese people calling for help.
AI-Generated Videos Flood Social Media
Social media users across several platforms have shared a video depicting a woman in the middle of ruins, holding two kids and crying for help. In tears, she desperately says in Arabic: “Oh Arabs, Muslims, world, our children are in danger.”
The 12-minute video, set to an emotional soundtrack and slowly zooming in on the woman’s expressions, has gained traction online, drawing hundreds of comments and thousands of likes and shares.
“Raise your voice for Sudan," the user wrote.
Another user has shared the video and wrote: “Please take a moment to pray for the people in Sudan even if you don’t understand what this mother is saying you can feel the pain and emotions. Lives are being lost everyday and the world stays silent.”
Finding the video suspicious, we ran it through the Hive Moderation AI detector, which indicated that it is likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content.
The watermark on the video led us to an Instagram account (@unitedhumanity786), which had also shared the video along with other similar videos in the same format and style. The video in question has been viewed by over 32K users and received more than 4K comments.
Using reverse image search, we identified a TikTok account (@ice.cream085) that also shared the video. Posted three days ago, the video has gained over 30M views, around 3M likes, and 174K comments.
The TikTok account (@ice.cream085) is known for sharing AI-generated videos, with a library of over 140 previously published AI-generated clips and a total of more than 9.4M likes.
Until recently, the account had been sharing unrealistic AI-generated videos of toddlers and cats in unusual situations. However, over the past week, it started to focus on AI-generated content imitating real-life scenes from Sudan, posting 21 videos showing children crying for food, women crying and holding their children, or older women in tears pleading for help, though only one video mentions that it contains AI-generated content.
Further research led us to another TikTok account (@cartoon.style5) which has shared nearly 136 videos, mostly AI-generated, and has accumulated 1.5 million likes. The account’s description mentions “AI” and features videos that turn unrealistic scenes or animated images into lifelike situations.
Most of the content relates to the war on Gaza, with around 37 videos depicting the ongoing war in Sudan.
Among these videos, only one explicitly notes it contains AI-generated content.
Other users are circulating a video purportedly showing a little girl from Sudan calling on Muslims and Arabs for help, however, it is likely AI-generated. The video features the same background soundtrack as the first video we examined.
This video was previously published by one of the TikTok accounts 6 days ago.
We ran the video through an AI-detection platform, which indicated that it is likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content.
What is Happening in Sudan?
Following a civil war lasting two to two-and-a-half years, resulting in an estimated 40,000 deaths and the displacement of 12 million people, the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, capital of North Darfur, was seized by the RSF. Thousands are struggling to access food and essential supplies, with many fearing they have been killed as the city entrances are blocked and its residents trapped inside.
The RSF has taken the remaining positions of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the Darfur region. Thousands have been killed, and 1.2 million people were trapped under an 18-month siege in the city, forced to survive on animal feed amid 56 km of constructed barriers, blocking entry of food and medicine.
Numerous videos and clips have circulated online showing atrocities, with RSF fighters executing and torturing people.
Human rights groups have reported that the RSF is carrying out mass killings, attacking hospitals, and executing people attempting to flee. The U.N. Human Rights Office has also noted signs of ethnic motivations behind the killings.
An investigation by Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab, using satellite imagery and remote-sensing data, confirmed mass killings. Compared with images taken before the RSF invasion, the study identified clusters of objects and ground discoloration consistent with human bodies and blood pools.
Atrocities have also been reported in the city of Bara, in neighboring North Kordofan state, just outside el-Obeid, a strategic city under SAF control. Media outlets reported the RSF have attacked civilians and humanitarian workers.
It’s worth noting that el-Fasher and el-Obeid are both major cities in western Sudan. el-Fasher is the capital of North Darfur, while el-Obeid, the oil-rich capital of North Kordofan neighbouring Darfur, serves as a strategic link between Darfur and Khartoum.
Another investigation by the Associated Press (AP) identified mass burials in el-Fasher through analysis of satellite images. The AP also reported, citing local media and the U.N., that a drone strike targeting a funeral in el-Obeid has killed at least 40 people.
Amid the ongoing atrocities, shocking videos and claims related to the conflict continue to flood the internet and social media. Misbar is closely monitoring the situation and debunking false claims and misinformation.
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