Sudan’s El-Fasher on the Brink as Paramilitary Forces Advance
In a significant turn of events, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claim to have seized control of the Sudanese army’s last major stronghold in El-Fasher, Darfur. Despite this alleged victory, the beleaguered city's status remains unchanged, with the humanitarian toll deepening amid the ongoing conflict.
Background and Context
El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has been under siege by the RSF for the past 18 months, with the city's residents enduring forced starvation. Journalists struggle to report on the war, which has been obscured by media blackouts and global neglect. The conflict has been marked by intensified artillery fire and drone attacks by the RSF since August, gradually eroding the army's positions.
Key Developments
The RSF's purported capture of the army headquarters in El-Fasher is seen as a significant step towards the group's control over the region. This claim follows the fall of the base in El-Fasher, bringing the RSF closer to cementing its control in the west.
According to testimonies gathered by the Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR), the RSF has captured and forced dozens of young men to fight in the ongoing conflict. The group has also been accused of launching attacks on hospitals, contributing to significant civilian deaths.
Implications and Reactions
The escalating violence and the RSF's alleged control over El-Fasher have sparked international concern. The UN's top humanitarian official has called for an immediate ceasefire, expressing alarm over the terrifying
situation in El-Fasher.
Indirect preliminary talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF began in Washington D.C. last week, marking a significant step towards formal ceasefire negotiations and attempts to stabilize the country after more than a year and a half of war.
Current Status
Despite the RSF’s claim of victory, the situation in El-Fasher remains desperate. The city, a symbolic battleground, is on the verge of full military collapse. Amid growing concerns about the vast humanitarian toll of the conflict, the international community awaits a formal response from the Sudanese army and the outcome of ceasefire negotiations in Washington.