The United Nations has requested safe passage for civilians from El-Fasher, a city in Sudan, following claims by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of seizing control of the main army base there. The Sudanese military has not acknowledged this claim. Fighting has intensified in the city, which has been under siege by the RSF and its allies for 18 months, leading to calls for humanitarian access and protection for the trapped population.
Situation in El-Fasher
Recent Developments
Heavy fighting in El-Fasher has been reported since Saturday, coinciding with RSF fighters capturing the home of the North Darfur governor. Social media videos verified by the BBC show RSF combatants celebrating at the army's El-Fasher headquarters, with the group claiming full control of the city. However, the army's local allies state that fighting persists in some areas. El-Fasher was the last major urban center in Darfur held by government forces and their allies. Taking El-Fasher could represent a strategic gain for the RSF, which controls most of Darfur and much of the Kordofan region. The RSF has previously stated an intention to form a rival government in El-Fasher upon assuming complete control.
Civilian Conditions
The UN Chief, Antonio Guterres, described the recent fighting as an "escalation" and stated that civilian suffering was "unbearable." The RSF has been accused of targeting civilians in airstrikes and trapping approximately 250,000 people by encircling the city with an earth wall, leading to conditions described as on the brink of starvation. The city has been referred to by the UN as an "epicentre of suffering."
Tom Fletcher, the UN's top humanitarian official, expressed alarm over reports of civilian casualties. Fletcher stated that "hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped... shelled, starving, and without access to food, healthcare, or safety," urging that "civilians must be allowed safe passage and be able to access aid." The US has also called for safe passage and is attempting to negotiate a ceasefire.
Broader Conflict Context
Conflict Origins and Impact
The conflict in Sudan began in 2023, stemming from a power struggle between top commanders of the RSF and the Sudanese army. This conflict has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and approximately 12 million people displaced across the country, contributing to a humanitarian crisis. The Sudanese army maintains control over most of the north and east of the country.