Article Text:
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a notorious Sudanese paramilitary group, launched a fierce assault on the beleaguered city of el-Fasher on Friday, a battle that unfolded over seven grueling hours, according to eyewitness accounts shared with the BBC. This marked the first significant incursion of RSF troops into the city since the onset of a brutal siege 15 months ago, with fighters seizing control of a cattle market, the city jail, and a military base while posting video footage of their takeover on social media.
The Sudanese army retaliated on Saturday, successfully pushing the RSF beyond the city limits and claiming to have inflicted substantial losses on the attacking forces. However, the situation for residents remains devastating, with ongoing shelling and drone strikes causing fear and destruction. Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) referred to el-Fasher as a "death trap," highlighting the harrowing realities faced by civilians amid continuous violence.
Historically, the RSF has targeted el-Fasher frequently, marking this assault as their 220th attempt to gain control. Communities are suffering acutely; a 65-year-old resident recounted how recent shelling struck a civilian vehicle, killing five people. The escalating civil conflict that erupted in April 2023 has led to a widespread humanitarian crisis in Sudan, with over 150,000 lives lost and approximately 12 million people displaced from their homes, as labeled by the United Nations as the worst humanitarian disaster globally.
Despite el-Fasher currently being the only city in Darfur under military control, a communication blackout hampers accurate information flow, with only satellite internet users able to report on the escalating situation. The frequency of attacks from the RSF highlights their growing reliance on drone technology, exacerbating fears that external backing, potentially by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), fuels the prolonged strife.
This weekend's offensive came after the RSF's earlier takeover of the Zamzam camp, the largest displacement center in Sudan, forcing many to flee for safety. As the NRC continues to document the plight of those escaping violence, Ms. Vu commented on the dwindling access to food and humanitarian assistance. Reports from el-Fasher residents depict a dire scarcity of essentials, with supplies of bread and medicine non-existent.
An elderly resident lamented the collapse of local food resources, including "ombaz," a byproduct from peanut oil extraction, with factories ceasing operations. The situation has become so untenable that they now plead for urgent humanitarian aid, stressing the dire need for international support.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently indicated there are "reasonable grounds" for believing war crimes and acts against humanity are being committed in Darfur. The ongoing conflict has triggered allegations of genocide against non-Arab populations in the region, particularly attributed to the RSF and allied groups. The humanitarian landscape remains critical, with daily survival becoming a collective struggle amidst ongoing armed strife.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a notorious Sudanese paramilitary group, launched a fierce assault on the beleaguered city of el-Fasher on Friday, a battle that unfolded over seven grueling hours, according to eyewitness accounts shared with the BBC. This marked the first significant incursion of RSF troops into the city since the onset of a brutal siege 15 months ago, with fighters seizing control of a cattle market, the city jail, and a military base while posting video footage of their takeover on social media.
The Sudanese army retaliated on Saturday, successfully pushing the RSF beyond the city limits and claiming to have inflicted substantial losses on the attacking forces. However, the situation for residents remains devastating, with ongoing shelling and drone strikes causing fear and destruction. Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) referred to el-Fasher as a "death trap," highlighting the harrowing realities faced by civilians amid continuous violence.
Historically, the RSF has targeted el-Fasher frequently, marking this assault as their 220th attempt to gain control. Communities are suffering acutely; a 65-year-old resident recounted how recent shelling struck a civilian vehicle, killing five people. The escalating civil conflict that erupted in April 2023 has led to a widespread humanitarian crisis in Sudan, with over 150,000 lives lost and approximately 12 million people displaced from their homes, as labeled by the United Nations as the worst humanitarian disaster globally.
Despite el-Fasher currently being the only city in Darfur under military control, a communication blackout hampers accurate information flow, with only satellite internet users able to report on the escalating situation. The frequency of attacks from the RSF highlights their growing reliance on drone technology, exacerbating fears that external backing, potentially by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), fuels the prolonged strife.
This weekend's offensive came after the RSF's earlier takeover of the Zamzam camp, the largest displacement center in Sudan, forcing many to flee for safety. As the NRC continues to document the plight of those escaping violence, Ms. Vu commented on the dwindling access to food and humanitarian assistance. Reports from el-Fasher residents depict a dire scarcity of essentials, with supplies of bread and medicine non-existent.
An elderly resident lamented the collapse of local food resources, including "ombaz," a byproduct from peanut oil extraction, with factories ceasing operations. The situation has become so untenable that they now plead for urgent humanitarian aid, stressing the dire need for international support.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently indicated there are "reasonable grounds" for believing war crimes and acts against humanity are being committed in Darfur. The ongoing conflict has triggered allegations of genocide against non-Arab populations in the region, particularly attributed to the RSF and allied groups. The humanitarian landscape remains critical, with daily survival becoming a collective struggle amidst ongoing armed strife.
