RSF Claims Control of El Fasher, Raising Fears of Widespread Atrocities in Darfur
A paramilitary group accused of genocide announced today it has seized the last Sudanese army stronghold in El Fasher, Darfur, escalating a brutal civil war and raising the specter of further ethnic cleansing in a region already devastated by conflict – a development that could reshape the future of Sudan.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stated they overran the army’s base in El Fasher, which had been under siege for over a year. While the Sudanese government has yet to confirm the claim, the U.S., U.N. experts, and the Sudanese army allege the RSF and affiliated ethnic-Arab militias are committing genocide against African ethnic groups in Darfur, echoing the atrocities committed during the early 2000s. Videos circulating online, though unverified, reportedly show RSF fighters celebrating and targeting fleeing civilians.
The United Nations migration agency reports 2,500 to 3,000 people have fled El Fasher since yesterday, and the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale University confirmed significant damage to the city’s airport and army headquarters via satellite imagery. UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher stated that “with fighters pushing further into the city and escape routes cut off, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped and terrified — shelled, starving, and without access to food, healthcare, or safety.” Concerns are mounting over potential mass atrocities, with Shayna Lewis, a Sudan Specialist at Avaaz, criticizing the international community’s response as insufficient, stating, “The international community has thus far failed in its responsibility to protect civilians.” For more information on the ongoing crisis, see the Doctors Without Borders website.
The conflict, which began in 2023, has already killed tens of thousands and displaced 14 million people, creating what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. International involvement further complicates the situation, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran supporting the Sudanese army, while the United Arab Emirates is accused of backing the RSF. U.N. Secretary-General António Gueterres lamented “external interference” today, stating it undermines ceasefire efforts. The RSF’s control of Darfur raises fears the region could seek independence, mirroring the creation of South Sudan. You can find more background on the history of the Darfur conflict at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Officials say humanitarian corridors must be opened immediately, and the world is watching El Fasher with deep concern as the RSF’s actions unfold.
