RSF Captures Army Headquarters in El-Fasher, Sudan, Marking Major Shift in Civil War
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group in Sudan, announced today they have captured the army headquarters in the besieged city of el-Fasher, a development that significantly alters the landscape of the ongoing civil war.
In a statement released on social media, the RSF claimed to have destroyed “huge military vehicles” and seized equipment at the 6th Division Headquarters. Videos circulating online, verified by independent sources, corroborate the RSF’s claim, showing their fighters inside the army base. The loss of this key installation represents a substantial blow to government forces, as el-Fasher was their last major stronghold in the Darfur region, effectively giving the RSF control of the area.
El-Fasher has been under siege by the RSF for the past 18 months, with both army positions and civilians enduring frequent bombardment. An estimated 300,000 people remain trapped within the city, facing dire conditions. The situation has been exacerbated by widespread hunger and disease as residents struggle with dwindling supplies. The RSF’s advance towards the 6th Infantry Division command has been ongoing for weeks, and while some pockets of resistance remain, they are not expected to hold for long. The escalating conflict in Sudan has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 12 million people displaced, according to the UNHCR.
UN investigators have accused the RSF of committing numerous crimes against humanity during the siege, and the United States has stated that the RSF has committed genocide against Darfur’s non-Arab population. This latest development raises concerns about the potential for further atrocities and the future governance of the region; the RSF intends to establish a rival government in el-Fasher. For more background on the conflict, see our previous coverage on the roots of the Sudanese civil war.
The Sudanese army has yet to comment on the reported capture of the headquarters, and it remains unclear what their next steps will be.
