An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher, intended to trap residents inside, according to findings from Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab. Satellite images have confirmed the construction of over 31 kilometers of 'berms' since May, situated outside the city under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
El-Fasher has been under siege for more than a year, acting as the last significant stronghold in Darfur for the Sudanese army while the RSF has increased efforts targeting civilians.
Reports indicate that the RSF is intensifying its offensive, with recent bombings in civilian sectors leading to numerous casualties. Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan from the Sudan Doctors Network confirmed that recent shellings killed nearly 24 civilians and injured at least 55 others, with discussions highlighting the RSF's deliberate attacks on markets and hospitals.
Both conflicting sides have utilized berms strategically, yet Yale's research argues that the RSF is effectively creating a deadly enclosure around el-Fasher. The RSF has been accused of systematic ethnic targeting against non-Arab groups amidst these hostilities.
Civilians find themselves entrapped with dwindling resources, facing constant bombardments and severe shortages of food and medical supplies. Attempts to flee the city are deemed perilous, with reports of RSF forces actively targeting escapees. One civilian, Halima Hashim, expressed the surreal choice of staying under siege or risking death to escape.
The construction of the wall not only deepens the existing humanitarian crisis but is seen as a tactical move to fortify RSF control over the region. Analysts warn that the fall of el-Fasher could solidify RSF authority in Darfur, posing a significant risk of deepening the conflict and potentially leading to the partitioning of Sudan.
With humanitarian organizations unable to access el-Fasher for months, international observers call for urgent actions to safeguard the besieged population, emphasizing that the civilians left in el-Fasher are paying the ultimate price for the ongoing conflict.
