The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have completed their withdrawal from El-Fasher, their final stronghold in the Darfur region, leading the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to declare control over the city. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan's military chief, confirmed the army's decision, citing the protection of civilians and the city from further destruction. El-Fasher, which had been under an 18-month siege by the RSF, is a critical strategic point, and its capture consolidates RSF control over Darfur's state capitals. The developments have intensified an already severe humanitarian crisis, with international bodies calling for civilian protection and safe passage for the trapped population.
Military Developments in El-Fasher
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the capture of the army's 6th Division Headquarters in El-Fasher and subsequently declared full control of the city. Social media videos, verified by BBC Verify, showed RSF fighters inside the army base. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) did not immediately comment on the initial claims but later confirmed their withdrawal from El-Fasher. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the military chief, stated the army's decision was made in agreement with local leaders to protect citizens and the city from destruction, citing "systematic destruction and killing of civilians." Local allies of the army initially reported that fighting persisted in some areas even after the RSF's initial claims of control.
El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, had been under an 18-month siege by the RSF, with military positions and civilian areas reportedly experiencing bombardment. RSF forces had advanced towards the city's army headquarters from multiple directions for several weeks prior to the withdrawal.
Strategic Significance
El-Fasher represented the last major urban center in the Darfur region that was under the control of the Sudanese government forces and their allies. Its capture grants the RSF control over all five state capitals in Darfur, consolidating its administrative presence in the region, including a parallel administration established in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The city's fall is considered a significant development in Sudan's ongoing civil conflict.
Humanitarian Impact
An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 people have been reported trapped by the fighting and the RSF's encirclement of El-Fasher with an earth wall, constructed in August of the previous year. Residents in the city have faced bombardment, severe food shortages, and reduced access to medical supplies, contributing to reports of widespread hunger and disease. The United Nations has referred to the city as an "epicentre of suffering" and described civilian conditions as "unbearable." The UN Human Rights Office has reported an increase in large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El-Fasher. The RSF has denied accusations of killing civilians.
International Response
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the escalation of fighting in El-Fasher and condemned reported violations of international humanitarian law. Tom Fletcher, a top UN humanitarian official, expressed alarm over reports of civilian casualties, urging that "civilians must be allowed safe passage and be able to access aid." The UN Human Rights Office has called upon "States with influence to act to prevent atrocities by RSF and allied fighters," emphasizing the importance of accountability. The United States has also called for safe passage for civilians and has attempted to negotiate a ceasefire. General Burhan criticized the international community's inaction regarding reported atrocities.
Broader Conflict Context
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has resulted in an estimated 150,000 fatalities nationwide and the displacement of approximately 12 million people, leading to what the UN has characterized as the world's most severe humanitarian crisis. Both the RSF and the Sudanese military have faced accusations of committing atrocities throughout the conflict. UN investigators have accused the RSF of committing crimes against humanity during the siege of El-Fasher, and the United States has stated that the RSF has committed genocide against Darfur's non-Arab population.
The Sudanese army currently controls most of the country's north and east, while the RSF controls most of Darfur and a significant portion of the neighboring Kordofan region. International attempts to mediate peace have not been successful, with both factions reportedly receiving support and weaponry from foreign powers. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently been subject to increased scrutiny regarding allegations of providing support to the RSF, which the UAE denies.
RSF's Stated Intentions and Government Relocation
The RSF has stated its intention to establish a rival government in El-Fasher once it secures complete control of the city.
Separately, Sudan's military-led government has relocated to Khartoum, the country's capital, after nearly three years of operating from its wartime base in Port Sudan. Prime Minister Kamil Idris stated in a recent address that the government would prioritize enhancing services for Khartoum's residents, focusing on electricity, water, healthcare, and education. The military had been forced to vacate Khartoum following the outbreak of civil war in 2023 but subsequently recaptured significant areas of the city in March. Reports from residents described incidents of mass looting and fighters occupying civilian homes during the RSF's occupation, and significant areas of the city have sustained damage. The government has designated 2026 as a 'year of peace' for Sudan.