Officers from General al-Burhan’s SAF’s 6th Infantry Division said more than 8,500 soldiers have been killed in El Fasher since war erupted in April 2023, with 8,600 personnel — including about 1,000 officers — reported dead between April 2023 and Aug. 30, 2025.
Three division sources added that some 2,400 soldiers were wounded, many permanently disabled and pulled from the front line. Despite heavy losses, they said SAF units and allied forces continue to defend the city, where fighting has intensified since May 2024, spiking again in August–September 2025.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have pushed into residential areas under heavy artillery and drone strikes that have hit both military positions and civilian neighborhoods, prompting mass displacement. Officers said there are no firm tallies for allied militias, but “hundreds” are believed killed since mid-April 2023. One officer said more than 3,000 soldiers — mostly from allied units — deserted, citing poor conditions and trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
Humanitarian conditions have deteriorated sharply over the past three months. The Health Ministry says more than 300 civilians have been killed, hundreds wounded, and thousands uprooted toward Mellit, Tawila, Korma and the Jebel Marra area.
The RSF has maintained a tight siege on El Fasher since April 2024 as it seeks to capture the SAF’s last major stronghold in Darfur.
