As fighting rages in El-Fasher, the RSF has captured key areas, resulting in civilian casualties and a dire humanitarian crisis. The Norwegian Refugee Council warns of worsening conditions as aid dwindles, with calls for international assistance highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
RSF Launches Offensive in El-Fasher Amid Dire Humanitarian Crisis
RSF Launches Offensive in El-Fasher Amid Dire Humanitarian Crisis
The Rapid Support Forces' recent attack on El-Fasher has escalated tensions in Sudan's civil war, further exacerbating the worsening humanitarian situation.
The Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) executed a bold attack on the beleaguered city of El-Fasher on Friday, engaging in heavy fighting for over seven hours. Witnesses reported that RSF fighters infiltrated the city and took control of a cattle market, a prison, and a military base while also broadcasting videos of their presence in the deserted stockyards. This marked the RSF's significant entry into El-Fasher during a siege that has persisted for the last 15 months.
In response to the assault, the Sudanese army countered on Saturday morning, pushing the RSF back beyond the city's boundaries while claiming to have inflicted substantial losses on the paramilitary group. However, clashes reportedly continued, with drone shelling targeting civilian areas. Local resident Siddig Omar recounted one incident where shelling caused the deaths of five civilians.
The civil conflict in Sudan, ignited by a power struggle between the army and the RSF in April 2023, has wreaked havoc across the nation, contributing to what the United Nations has dubbed the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Over 150,000 lives have been lost, and roughly 12 million people have been displaced.
El-Fasher, the only city in Darfur currently under military control, remains shrouded in a communications blackout, complicating information verification. Reports from residents emphasize the dire state of affairs, citing severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter, with many reliant on limited community support.
Mathilde Vu, the advocacy manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), described El-Fasher as a "death trap," as civilians face daily risks compounded by ongoing violence and scarcity. Community members have resorted to consuming food waste as shortages deepen.
Despite the critical situation, the international community's response has been lackluster, with Ms. Vu urging for more substantial engagement and support for those affected by the conflict. Increasing reports of war crimes and a chilling warning from the International Criminal Court have surfaced, as calls to address the crisis grow louder amidst escalating atrocities.
