Chaos Erupts in El-Fasher as RSF Seizes Control Amid Civilian Struggles

The Rapid Support Forces launched a significant offensive in el-Fasher, seizing critical locations and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis for local residents amidst ongoing civil strife.

In a dramatic escalation of conflict in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) executed a bold incursion into the besieged city of el-Fasher on Friday. Witnesses reported a fierce seven-hour battle, resulting in the RSF gaining control of key sites, including a cattle market, a prison, and a military base. This assault marks the first major entry of RSF fighters into the city since the onset of a protracted siege that began 15 months ago.

The RSF shared footage on social media showing their fighters in the city’s livestock market, which had seen no business activity in recent months. Local sources, however, reported that the situation swiftly intensified when government forces retaliated the following day, managing to push the RSF back outside of el-Fasher's boundaries while claiming heavy losses inflicted on the paramilitary group.

Despite the military’s counteroffensive, residents like 65-year-old Siddig Omar reported ongoing drone attacks and civilian casualties, stating that a shell hit a vehicle, resulting in multiple deaths. The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, primarily stemming from a fierce power struggle between the army and RSF, leading to widespread famine and allegations of genocide in the Darfur region. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated critically, with over 150,000 fatalities and around 12 million displaced, according to the United Nations.

El-Fasher’s resilience has been tenuous, remaining the last military-controlled city in Darfur as communication with the outside world becomes increasingly precarious due to blackouts. Aid organizations like the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) are sounding alarms, noting that local residents are subjected to weekly shelling and a dire lack of basic necessities, including food and medical supplies.

Humanitarian workers recount harrowing accounts of locals escaping across perilous landscapes, often fleeing threats of violence and sexual assault. With the humanitarian funding drying up, the crisis deepens; locals are now entirely reliant on shared resources in a community stripped bare of basic provisions. Reports indicate that the once-available food supplies, like "ombaz" from peanut processing, have also vanished, plunging residents further into despair.

As international attention wanes, the NRC’s advocacy manager emphasized the urgency for the global community to engage with the surrounding conflicts. Recent allegations from the International Criminal Court (ICC) suggest that war crimes and humanity's crimes are being committed in Darfur, intensifying the scrutiny on involved parties. The ongoing strife continues to resonate deeply within the fabric of Sudan, as dramatic pleas for assistance come from the beleaguered population amidst grim living conditions described as life-threatening.