Sudan's military chief has confirmed the army's withdrawal from its last western stronghold of el-Fasher after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared control of the city.

In a televised address, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stated he approved the withdrawal in response to the systematic destruction and killing of civilians.

He revealed that he had agreed with local leaders to relocate to a safer area to protect remaining citizens and prevent further devastation.

The United Nations has raised the alarm regarding reports of atrocities committed by the RSF in recent days, urging for safe passage for civilians trapped in conflict zones.

The RSF deny allegations of civilian killings.

The fall of el-Fasher signals a pivotal moment in the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of nearly 12 million since April 2023.

The RSF's control of el-Fasher grants them dominance over all five state capitals in Darfur, affirming their parallel governance in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the recent turmoil and condemned the evident violations of international humanitarian law.

He highlighted that the protracted siege of el-Fasher and the surrounding North Darfur region has become a center of suffering, with the risks of malnutrition, disease, and violence escalating daily.

The UN Human Rights Office warned of increasing large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and abuses in el-Fasher.

States with influence must act to prevent atrocities by RSF and their allied fighters; accountability must be prioritized, it stated.

In his address, Gen Burhan criticized the international community for failing to intervene effectively against ongoing atrocities, affirming his commitment to continue fighting until the region is cleansed of RSF forces.

We can reclaim every territory desecrated by these traitors, he proclaimed.

El-Fasher had endured an 18-month siege by the RSF and others, leading to significant food shortages and increased humanitarian need in the region.