Rapid Support Forces Advance in Darfur as Hundreds of Thousands of Civilians Face Starvation and Siege
El-Fasher, Sudan — Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claim to have taken control of El-Fasher, the western city seen as the Sudanese army’s last stronghold in Darfur, marking a potential turning point in the country’s ongoing civil war.
In a statement on social media, the RSF said it had seized the city “from the grip of mercenaries and militias allied with the terrorist army”, following the capture of the 6th Infantry Division Headquarters. The group reported destroying military vehicles and seizing weapons and equipment, while videos verified by BBC Verify show RSF fighters inside the army base.
Local pro-army fighters, including the Popular Resistance, accused the RSF of conducting a “media disinformation campaign” to undermine the morale of Sudanese forces.
Siege and Civilian Crisis
The RSF has surrounded El-Fasher for 18 months, launching frequent attacks on army positions and civilians. Satellite imagery from August showed earthen walls being built around the city, effectively trapping residents inside. An estimated 300,000 people remain in the city, facing constant bombardment, hunger, and lack of medical care.
UN Relief Chief Tom Fletcher expressed deep concern, calling for an immediate ceasefire across Darfur and Sudan.
“Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped and terrified – shelled, starving, and without access to food, healthcare, or safety,” Fletcher said, adding that intensified attacks make aid delivery nearly impossible.
Allegations of War Crimes
UN investigators accuse the RSF of committing crimes against humanity during the siege, and the United States has labeled RSF actions as genocide against Darfur’s non-Arab population.
Since 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in conflict after a fallout between top commanders of the RSF and the Sudanese army, resulting in a vicious power struggle. The war has claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced 12 million people, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
While the army still controls most of northern and eastern Sudan, RSF forces now control almost all of Darfur and significant parts of the Kordofan region. The RSF has previously stated its intent to establish a rival government in El-Fasher once it assumes full control.