RSF's Recent Assault in El-Fasher Signals Escalating Crisis in Sudan

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have stormed El-Fasher, seizing control of key locations in the city, including a livestock market and a prison. This escalation follows more than a year of conflict, marking a devastating chapter in Sudan's civil war that has led to famine, widespread displacement, and an emerging humanitarian disaster.

The conflict in Sudan continues to unravel as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a fierce assault on the besieged city of El-Fasher on Friday, engaging in battles that lasted for seven hours. Witnesses reported that the RSF captured strategic locations, including a livestock market, a prison, and a military base, while posting videos on social media showcasing their presence in the now-empty stockyards. This assault marks the first significant entry of RSF fighters into the city since the siege began 15 months ago amid ongoing attempts to control the western Darfur region.

In response to the RSF's advancement, the Sudanese army counterattacked on Saturday morning, claiming to have pushed the RSF back beyond El-Fasher's borders. However, local resident Siddig Omar reported that shelling persisted throughout the weekend, resulting in civilian casualties, including a tragic incident where five people died from a shell hitting a civilian vehicle near his home.

El-Fasher is witnessing the effects of a worsening humanitarian crisis as civil war erupted in Sudan in April 2023, igniting a brutal power struggle between the army and RSF. Reports suggest more than 150,000 lives have been lost due to the conflict, leaving around 12 million displaced and leading the United Nations to label the situation as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Describing El-Fasher as a "death trap," Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council emphasized the horrors faced by residents. Local volunteers risk their lives daily to provide food to those on the brink of starvation. Many families have been forced to flee to Tawila, with reports of refugees suffering from hunger and inadequate shelter, as nearly 379,000 have now made the journey, facing cholera outbreaks and harsh weather conditions.

Residents in El-Fasher reported the lack of basic necessities, including bread, medicine, and work. Many have relied on "ombaz," a food waste leftover from oil production, which has become increasingly scarce due to factory closures amid the ongoing strife.

Despite these desperate circumstances, a sense of hopelessness prevails as the international community appears disengaged from addressing the crisis. The International Criminal Court has indicated there are reasonable grounds for war crimes accusations in the region. War crimes allegations have persisted, with the United States classifying the RSF and its allied militias as having committed acts of genocide against non-Arab populations in Darfur.

With the escalation of RSF attacks and the worsening humanitarian situation, the fate of El-Fasher and its beleaguered residents remains precarious, underscoring the urgent need for international assistance and intervention in Sudan's spiraling conflict.