In this deep-dive tutorial, we look at how freely available satellite imagery and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques such as geolocation, and the use of geospatial data, can shed light on the ongoing conflict in Sudan since April 2023.
The focus of the tutorial is finding Sudan’s destroyed towns and looks at the town of El Geneina, in Sudan’s conflict-stricken Darfur region - this town is one of the many communities in Sudan that have been targeted with fire. This tutorial isn’t just about showcasing tools; it’s an essential guide for anyone looking to understand or expose the realities of war-affected areas with restricted access.
Whether you are a journalist, researcher, or rights advocate, this tutorial will hopefully provide some important essential skills in using open source intelligence techniques.
The specific skills we go through in this tutorial are:
- Satellite Imagery Tools: We’ll start with a walkthrough of Google Earth Pro and other free resources to access recent satellite data, and how to very the dates of those satellite images using Apollo Mapping.
- Geolocating Ground Videos: Next, we look at how to pinpoint the exact locations depicted in social media videos and news footage using basic OSINT methods such as geolocation and satellite imagery analysis.
- Darfur Case Study: Using Darfur as our focal point, we’ll apply these tools to identify what has happened on the ground and look at changes over time.
- OSINT Skills: Enhance your ability to collect, verify, and analyse data from open sources - essential skills for journalists, researchers, and rights advocates.
- Tutorial Steps: Each section includes practical, step-by-step instructions that you can follow along with and apply immediately.
TOOLS
Google Earth Pro (desktop): www.google.com/earth/about/ve...
Apollo Mapping: imagehunter.apollomapping.com/
Sentinel Hub: apps.sentinel-hub.com/eo-brow...
NASA FIRMS: firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/
Sudan Fire Map (Centre for Information Resilience): felt.com/map/Map-of-Fires-in-...
Centre for Information Resilience Sudan Witness Project: www.info-res.org/sudan-witness
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
How to Maintain Mental Hygiene as an Open Source Researcher: www.bellingcat.com/resources/...
How to Prevent, Identify and Address Vicarious Trauma - While Conducting Open Source Investigations in the Middle East: www.bellingcat.com/resources/...
Let’s talk about mental health: www.info-res.org/let-s-talk-a...
GEOINT, OSINT & Facing Vicarious Trauma with Benjamin Strick: • GEOINT, OSINT & Facing...
OSINT TECHNIQUES LINKS
OSINTAtHome Playlist: • OSINT At Home - Tutori...
Google Earth Pro Tutorial: • OSINT At Home #16 - My...
Chronolocation tutorial (how to find out when an image was taken using shadows) • OSINT At Home #8 - Cal...
Geolocation tutorial (how to find where a photo or video was taken) • OSINT At Home #4 - Ide...
How to find fires from space: • OSINT At Home #14 - Ho...
Using Sentinel Hub: [ • OSINT At Home #7 - How... ]( • OSINT At Home #7 - How... )
OSINT ACCOUNTS LOOKING AT SUDAN
/ cen4infores
/ osintsudan
/ sudanwarmonitor
/ marksnoeck
/ mulldog113
/ faisalelsheikh
/ mustapro
/ muawia_yasin
/ tariqtalas
/ daniel_van0
CREDITS AND RESOURCES FOR THIS VIDEO
Google Earth satellite imagery and related websites and social media platforms for the purpose of finding the sites
Footage of fighter in El Geneina: x.com/BenDoBrown/status/16515...
Footage from burned down area in El Geneina: x.com/BenDoBrown/status/16525...
Netblocks: x.com/netblocks/status/164993... and here: x.com/BenDoBrown/status/16526...
Channel 4 News: • Sudan: evidence of mas...
BBC News: • Millions face starvati...
Sky News: • Heavy fighting breaks ...
BBC News: [ • Sudan: Millions driven... ]( • Sudan: Millions driven... )
Al-Jazeera: • السودان.. الجزيرة ترصد...
Music: Sudani by Gnawa Masters and Dhaka by Kevin MacLeod