Siege Intensifies in Sudan's El-Fasher: Barrier Construction Revealed

Mon Oct 20 2025 03:05:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Satellite imagery reveals the construction of an extensive earth barrier around the besieged city of El-Fasher, with serious implications for its civilian population amidst ongoing conflict.

Recent analysis by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab shows over 31 kilometers of earthen berms are being built around El-Fasher, Sudan. These barriers, constructed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, aim to trap the civilian population as violence escalates. The city is currently facing severe humanitarian challenges, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians and limited access to medical care and essential supplies.

An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher and is intended to trap people inside, according to research from Yale University.

From satellite images, the university's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has identified more than 31km (19 miles) of berms - or raised banks - constructed since May in territory outside the city occupied by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

El-Fasher, under siege for more than a year, is the last major foothold in Darfur for Sudan's army, which has been battling the RSF since April 2023.

The Sudan Doctors Network has told the BBC that the RSF was intensifying its offensive there and deliberately targeting civilians.

Yesterday there was a shelling in a civilian area down in the city centre that ended up killing almost 24 civilians and injuring 55 people, among them five women, Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan, from the medics association, told the BBC's Newsday programme.

The attacks on the central market and a residential area were deliberate and heinous, he said.

BBC Verify says both sides in the conflict have been using berms as a defensive tool. However, the analysis by Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab suggests that the RSF is creating a literal kill box around el-Fasher.

The HRL traced the construction of the earthen walls on to a map of el-Fasher, showing various segments built over recent months. The barriers complicate things for civilians trying to flee or those seeking to bring in food, medicine and other essential items.

Humanitarian organizations have been unable to access el-Fasher for months, and remaining civilians are enduring constant bombardment, food scarcity, and difficulties in accessing medical care.

Dr. Hassan noted that some civilians are trying to escape but are being targeted and killed by the RSF forces. The RSF has previously denied accusations of targeting civilians and carrying out ethnic cleansing.

With the ongoing construction of the physical wall, the Yeh’s HRL asserts the RSF has "determined the tactical conditions necessary" for defeating the army division based in el-Fasher, potentially altering the control dynamics in the region.

In light of the situation, Adeeb Abdel Rahman Youssef, a former governor of central Darfur State, urged the UN Security Council to protect the civilians of el-Fasher, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the population.