Conflict erupted in early 2003 when rebels of the Sudan Liberation Movement attacked government troops in an effort to gain greater autonomy and resources for their region. Sudan government aircraft and government-supported troops (known as jangaweed) retaliated against not only armed rebels but also against civilians deemed to be supporting them.
达尔富尔位于苏丹西部，其人口由阿拉伯和非洲穆斯林构成。2003年初这里爆发了冲突，苏丹解放运动的起义军对政府军发动了袭击，以扩大自治权，为该地区争取更多的经济利益。苏丹政府的飞机管辖的军队（外界称之为Jangaweed）不仅报复性地袭击了武装叛乱分子，还殃及了本该支持他们的达尔富尔平民。无数村庄被清洗、妇女被强奸、非阿拉伯种族被屠杀。