El-Fasher, a city now grappling with violent confrontations, faces dire food shortages and rising casualties as the RSF gains strategic footholds in the ongoing conflict.
RSF Forces Clash in El-Fasher Amidst Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
RSF Forces Clash in El-Fasher Amidst Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces engage in intense battles in el-Fasher, intensifying fears of humanitarian disaster.
The article text:
In a significant escalation of violence, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, stormed the besieged city of el-Fasher on Friday, captivating attention with a fierce seven-hour battle that ensued. Eyewitnesses reported that RSF fighters took control of a cattle market, a prison, and a military base, sharing their triumph through videos showcasing empty stockyards. This marked the first major incursion of RSF forces into el-Fasher since the siege began 15 months prior.
Reacting promptly, the army mounted a counter-offensive on Saturday, managing to push the RSF back beyond the city's limits while asserting they inflicted "heavy losses" on the paramilitary group. Regardless, local devastation continued as RSF's shelling persisted, reportedly resulting in civilian casualties, including five deaths from a shell hitting a vehicle.
Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) expressed grave concerns over el-Fasher, describing it as a "death trap." She outlined the dire circumstances faced by civilians amidst ongoing attacks and a persistent lack of food. Local volunteers are risking their lives daily to assist the starving residents, underscoring the humanitarian crisis gripping the region.
Siddig Omar, a 65-year-old resident, recounted how the RSF entered from the south and southwest, marking this as the army's 220th offensive. The RSF's recent maneuvers also included utilizing large drones for artillery strikes, further escalating the conflict. Allegations have surfaced claiming that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is backing the RSF, which the Gulf nation refutes.
The violence intensified following the RSF's takeover of the Zamzam displacement camp, which had housed the largest population of displaced individuals in Sudan. Many of the camp's residents sought refuge in el-Fasher or attempted to flee to Tawila, around 60 kilometers away. Reports indicate that nearly 379,000 have already fled to Tawila, where communities are grappling with the additional threat of cholera amidst worsening living conditions due to heavy rains.
As residents of el-Fasher shared their grim reality, they voiced deep concern over food shortages and the lack of basic medical treatment. Dependence on "ombaz," a food byproduct leftover from oil production, has intensified, but the ongoing conflict has shuttered many peanut factories, leading to its scarcity. Appeals for aid highlight the critical state of survival for residents.
In light of deteriorating conditions, Vu lamented the international community's diminished engagement with the warring factions and diminished funding for humanitarian efforts. Echoing calls for assistance, several individuals described the collective struggle for survival as they faced growing despair.
Recently, the International Criminal Court (ICC) found "reasonable grounds" to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in Darfur, heightening the urgency for intervention amid claims of genocide towards the non-Arab population. The stark reality of el-Fasher underscores an escalating humanitarian emergency, with communities hanging on to hope for swift aid and resolution.
In a significant escalation of violence, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, stormed the besieged city of el-Fasher on Friday, captivating attention with a fierce seven-hour battle that ensued. Eyewitnesses reported that RSF fighters took control of a cattle market, a prison, and a military base, sharing their triumph through videos showcasing empty stockyards. This marked the first major incursion of RSF forces into el-Fasher since the siege began 15 months prior.
Reacting promptly, the army mounted a counter-offensive on Saturday, managing to push the RSF back beyond the city's limits while asserting they inflicted "heavy losses" on the paramilitary group. Regardless, local devastation continued as RSF's shelling persisted, reportedly resulting in civilian casualties, including five deaths from a shell hitting a vehicle.
Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) expressed grave concerns over el-Fasher, describing it as a "death trap." She outlined the dire circumstances faced by civilians amidst ongoing attacks and a persistent lack of food. Local volunteers are risking their lives daily to assist the starving residents, underscoring the humanitarian crisis gripping the region.
Siddig Omar, a 65-year-old resident, recounted how the RSF entered from the south and southwest, marking this as the army's 220th offensive. The RSF's recent maneuvers also included utilizing large drones for artillery strikes, further escalating the conflict. Allegations have surfaced claiming that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is backing the RSF, which the Gulf nation refutes.
The violence intensified following the RSF's takeover of the Zamzam displacement camp, which had housed the largest population of displaced individuals in Sudan. Many of the camp's residents sought refuge in el-Fasher or attempted to flee to Tawila, around 60 kilometers away. Reports indicate that nearly 379,000 have already fled to Tawila, where communities are grappling with the additional threat of cholera amidst worsening living conditions due to heavy rains.
As residents of el-Fasher shared their grim reality, they voiced deep concern over food shortages and the lack of basic medical treatment. Dependence on "ombaz," a food byproduct leftover from oil production, has intensified, but the ongoing conflict has shuttered many peanut factories, leading to its scarcity. Appeals for aid highlight the critical state of survival for residents.
In light of deteriorating conditions, Vu lamented the international community's diminished engagement with the warring factions and diminished funding for humanitarian efforts. Echoing calls for assistance, several individuals described the collective struggle for survival as they faced growing despair.
Recently, the International Criminal Court (ICC) found "reasonable grounds" to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in Darfur, heightening the urgency for intervention amid claims of genocide towards the non-Arab population. The stark reality of el-Fasher underscores an escalating humanitarian emergency, with communities hanging on to hope for swift aid and resolution.
