The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has asserted control over the army headquarters in the besieged city of El-Fasher, signaling a significant turning point in the nation’s civil war. The RSF publicly stated that they have destroyed huge military vehicles and have seized military equipment from the army's 6th Division Headquarters.
BBC Verify has confirmed the authenticity of the videos circulating on social media, depicting RSF fighters inside the army base. The loss of this crucial headquarters represents a major setback for government forces, as El-Fasher was their last remaining foothold in the Darfur region, effectively handing control of the area to the RSF. As of now, the army has yet to issue a response to this critical event.
The RSF has encircled El-Fasher for approximately 18 months, during which army positions and civilian areas have been subjected to relentless bombardment. An estimated 300,000 people are trapped within the city, struggling with dire living conditions.
In August, satellite imagery revealed substantial earthen walls constructed around El-Fasher, presumably intended to trap the population further. As the RSF progresses towards total dominance of the city, pockets of resistance remain under army and allied group control; however, these are not anticipated to endure much longer.
The consequences of the conflict extend beyond military defeats. Residents face severe shortages of food and medical supplies, as accusations mount against the RSF for various crimes against humanity amid their siege. Reports by UN investigators have indicated clear evidence of genocide against non-Arab populations in Darfur, as the scenario deteriorates further.
Since the onset of hostilities in 2023, adjusted figures suggest over 150,000 fatalities and around 12 million displaced individuals, generating one of the most extensive humanitarian crises in the region's history. The RSF’s increasing control in Darfur, with aspirations to establish a rival government in El-Fasher, could signal the reformulation of political power dynamics in Sudan.
As the RSF consolidates its grip on El-Fasher, the implications for both regional stability and humanitarian conditions remain critically entwined, calling for urgent focus and intervention from the international community.
