RSF Claims Control of El Fasher Army Base Amid Escalating Conflict

The paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced the capture of the army headquarters in El Fasher, a critical city in the Darfur region of Sudan. This move marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, as the Sudanese army has not yet responded to the claim regarding its current position. Videos released by the RSF show soldiers celebrating outside the army’s Sixth Infantry base, although the date of the footage has not been verified by independent sources.

Securing El Fasher would be a significant victory for the RSF, potentially accelerating a physical division of Sudan. Control over this city would allow the RSF to strengthen its influence in Darfur, where it has asserted authority as part of a parallel government established earlier this summer. Just a day prior, the RSF also seized the city of Bara in North Kordofan, a strategic area separating Darfur from the Sudanese capital and the eastern, army-controlled territories.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The RSF has besieged El Fasher for the last 18 months, leading to severe humanitarian consequences. Reports indicate that approximately 250,000 residents remain in the city, facing starvation due to the prolonged conflict. Civilians have been subjected to frequent drone and artillery strikes, raising alarms among human rights activists who warn of potential ethnic violence should the RSF solidify its control.

The United Nations has mandated investigations into the RSF’s actions, with findings indicating that the group has committed crimes against humanity during the siege. The army is also facing accusations of war crimes. In a recent statement, the El Fasher Resistance Committees, a local activist group, emphasized that the struggle for the city continues, criticizing the army leadership for abandoning its troops in the area.

Continued Violence and International Response

The RSF has claimed to facilitate the safe exit of civilians and surrendering fighters from El Fasher. However, those who have managed to leave report widespread incidents of robbery, kidnapping, and violence perpetrated by RSF soldiers on the escape routes. A video released by a senior RSF official shows a convoy of individuals, mostly men, departing the city, purportedly consisting mainly of soldiers; however, the authenticity of this footage remains unverified.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 after a breakdown in the power-sharing agreement between the RSF and the Sudanese army, has led to the displacement of millions and has plunged a significant portion of the population into hunger. The situation has escalated to a point where the United States convened meetings with Emirati, Egyptian, and Saudi Arabian officials to discuss potential peace initiatives. Meanwhile, the Sudanese foreign ministry has confirmed that officials are in Washington for bilateral discussions.

The army-led Sovereign Council has denied reports of indirect negotiations between the RSF and the army, underscoring the ongoing instability and uncertainty surrounding Sudan’s future.

As the conflict continues to evolve, the humanitarian crisis deepens, and the ramifications of the RSF’s recent territorial gains remain to be seen, with significant implications for the people of Sudan and the broader region.