Sudan’s conflict has reached a critical new stage after the country’s army confirmed its withdrawal from El-Fasher, its last major stronghold in western Sudan, handing full control of the city to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The development marks a major shift in Sudan’s brutal civil war, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly 12 million since it began in April 2023.
In a televised address, Sudan’s military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced that the army’s withdrawal was a painful but deliberate move aimed at saving civilian lives. He said the decision was made in consultation with community leaders in El-Fasher to “protect the remaining citizens and the rest of the city from destruction,” following what he described as “systematic killing and destruction” by RSF forces. His comments come as reports of atrocities, executions, and widespread violence continue to emerge from the region.
The fall of El-Fasher gives the RSF complete control over all five state capitals in Darfur, strengthening its administrative grip across the region and signaling a decisive advantage in its ongoing fight against the Sudanese Armed Forces. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has denied allegations of killing civilians, but multiple eyewitness accounts and humanitarian reports point to escalating atrocities, including ethnically targeted attacks.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the situation, warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely concerned” about reports of large-scale violations of international humanitarian law, describing the 18-month siege of El-Fasher as an “epicentre of suffering.” The UN Human Rights Office further noted a rise in ethnically motivated violence and urged countries with influence over the warring parties to act swiftly to prevent further atrocities.
For months, El-Fasher had been under siege, with residents enduring severe food shortages, disease outbreaks, and relentless bombardment. Its fall now leaves Darfur completely under RSF control, a development that analysts fear could further destabilize Sudan and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In his address, Gen Burhan condemned the international community for what he called “silence and inaction” in the face of atrocities. He vowed that the army would continue its fight to reclaim lost territories and “purify the land from traitors.” His remarks underscore the entrenched divisions and the likelihood that the conflict will continue to escalate despite international appeals for peace.
As the RSF consolidates its hold over Darfur, millions remain trapped in dire conditions, with little access to food, medicine, or safety. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is now among the worst in the world, and aid agencies warn that without immediate intervention, the situation in El-Fasher and across the country could deteriorate even further.
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