Title: Sudan Conflict: RSF Gains Control of El-Fasher Amidst Ongoing Crisis
Introduction:
The conflict in Sudan has escalated dramatically, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Recent developments indicate that the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has taken control of the strategic city of El-Fasher, marking a significant shift in the ongoing civil war.
RSF Claims Control Over El-Fasher
In a statement shared on social media, the RSF declared that it had seized El-Fasher "from the grip of mercenaries and militias allied with the terrorist army." This development is a severe setback for the Sudanese army, as El-Fasher represents its last major stronghold in the Darfur region, effectively placing the RSF in control of the area. The Sudanese army has yet to respond to these claims.
Recent Military Actions
The RSF’s announcement follows their capture of the army’s 6th Division Headquarters, where they reported the destruction of "huge military vehicles" and the seizure of military equipment. BBC Verify has authenticated videos circulating on social media that depict RSF fighters inside the army base.
In response, pro-army fighters known as the Popular Resistance have accused the RSF of conducting a "media disinformation campaign" aimed at demoralizing government forces.
Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
The RSF has besieged El-Fasher for the past 18 months, subjecting army positions and civilians to continuous bombardments. An estimated 300,000 residents are trapped in the city, facing dire conditions. Satellite imagery from August revealed extensive earthen walls being constructed around El-Fasher, seemingly designed to confine the population.
Despite some areas still being under army control, the RSF has been advancing towards the 6th Infantry Division command, which is considered the army’s headquarters in El-Fasher. With hunger and disease spreading rapidly, residents are grappling with the dual threats of constant shelling and a lack of food and medical supplies.
Allegations of Human Rights Violations
UN investigators have accused the RSF of committing multiple crimes against humanity during the siege. The United States has gone further, alleging that the RSF has perpetrated genocide against non-Arab populations in Darfur.
Conclusion:
Sudan has been engulfed in turmoil since 2023, following a fallout between top commanders of the RSF and the Sudanese army that ignited a brutal power struggle. The conflict has claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced approximately 12 million people, contributing to one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history. While the army maintains control over much of northern and eastern Sudan, El-Fasher had been one of the last significant urban centers in Darfur held by government forces and their allies. With the RSF now asserting dominance over nearly all of Darfur and parts of the neighboring Kordofan region, they have expressed intentions to establish a rival government in El-Fasher upon complete takeover.
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