The Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified the long-standing siege on El-Fasher by storming the city, leading to a fierce seven-hour battle. Despite the army's counterattack, the humanitarian situation in the city grows increasingly dire, as residents face extreme scarcity of food, medicine, and safety amid continuous violence.
RSF Engages in Violent Assault on El-Fasher Amidst Dire Humanitarian Crisis

RSF Engages in Violent Assault on El-Fasher Amidst Dire Humanitarian Crisis
The Rapid Support Forces launched a seven-hour offensive in the besieged Sudanese city of El-Fasher, capturing key locations and exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian disaster.
The Sudanese paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), made a significant advance on Friday by launching a fierce assault on the war-torn city of El-Fasher, a development deemed catastrophic by many local witnesses. Engaging in a battle that lasted seven hours, the RSF managed to seize critical locations, including a cattle market that had been dormant for months, a prison, and a military base, sharing footage from the empty stockyards on social media platforms—all amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict that has plagued the area for approximately 15 months.
This unprecedented entry of the RSF into El-Fasher signals a disturbing escalation in an already dire situation rendered even more precarious by the army's prior control over the city, now the last military-held stronghold in Darfur. Following the offensive, army forces retaliated on Saturday, reportedly regaining ground but not before residents were subjected to continued shelling. Local accounts detail harrowing experiences, with shelling attributed to RSF drones resulting in civilian casualties, including the tragic death of five individuals in a vehicle.
Since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023, triggered by a power struggle between the army and RSF, the region has descended into severe famine, prompting warnings of genocide in Darfur. Over 150,000 fatalities and the displacement of around 12 million individuals have been documented, prompting the United Nations to declare the crisis the largest humanitarian disaster globally.
The communications blackout in the city complicates the verification of reported incidents, making external communication a challenge. Reports indicate a persistent trend of RSF offensives and increasing artillery and drone attacks. Notably, the RSF has harnessed large drones in its recent operations, allegedly funded by the United Arab Emirates—an accusation vehemently denied by the Gulf state.
Just months prior, the RSF had overtaken the largest displacement camp on the outskirts of El-Fasher, prompting an exodus of desperate victims fleeing violence. Advocacy managers from organizations such as the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) highlight the horrifying plight of displaced individuals facing starvation and violence during their attempts to seek safety. They report horrific tales of people on the run at night, often on foot or on donkey-back, seeking refuge from armed attacks.
Residents of El-Fasher expressed their despair, detailing the lack of food and medicine that has left many in a critical situation. Some rely on "ombaz," a leftover food byproduct from oil production, which has since become scarce due to factory closures. The community's resilience has been severely tested as they rely on one another to share limited resources during this time of desperation.
Amid this deteriorating reality, NRC's Mathilde Vu lamented the inaction of the international community and the declining humanitarian funds available for assistance. In a chilling statement, she reflected, "People in El-Fasher just rely on the solidarity of others."
Additionally, the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently highlighted potential war crimes occurring in the region, reiterating that ongoing issues have persisted through the last two years of turmoil. As more in-depth assessments continue to unfold, both national and international observers remain acutely aware of the fragile conditions faced by the people of Sudan, particularly in places like El-Fasher.