The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Sunday that they had moved closer to gaining full control of El Fasher, the strategic capital of North Darfur, amidst ongoing conflict with General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF).
The RSF’s progress has been met with criticism from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), led by Arko Minawi, which is allied with the SAF. The SLM warned that if El Fasher falls, it could lead to the collapse of all Sudanese cities.
El Fasher has been a key battleground since the war broke out in mid-April 2023 between the SAF and the RSF. Over the past year, the RSF has gained control of most of the Darfur region, which covers a quarter of Sudan’s total area of approximately 1.9 million square kilometers.
The Sudan Liberation Movement accused the RSF of committing atrocities at the Zamzam camp, which shelters about 400,000 displaced people. According to the SLM, the RSF’s actions at the camp led to the deaths of 450 people in just three days.
In response, the RSF denied these allegations, claiming that it had been working with neutral groups to secure the safe evacuation of thousands of civilians.
The RSF also accused the SAF and its allied jihadist forces of using the camp as a military base and turning civilians into human shields.
“We reject the false allegations that our forces targeted civilians inside Zamzam camp,” the RSF said in a statement, calling for accuracy and credibility in the reporting of events. The RSF also expressed its commitment to international humanitarian law and welcomed aid organizations to assist those fleeing the conflict.
Meanwhile, Minawi’s movement urged the SAF to take immediate action to defend El Fasher and rescue over 1.5 million residents trapped in the city. The statement also criticized the delay in military reinforcements, noting that a large force was prepared in the city of Dabba over two months ago but had not been deployed.
In a related development, the Civil Democratic Alliance of Revolutionary Forces (Sumud) called for an end to all actions that endanger civilian lives and security. The alliance emphasized the need for humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians while calling for an investigation into the war’s numerous violations. It also reiterated its stance that there is no military solution to the crisis, warning that ongoing conflict only leads to destruction and the suffering of Sudanese civilians.
The Darfur region holds considerable geopolitical importance, stretching over 493,000 square kilometers, or about a quarter of Sudan’s total area. With a population of approximately 8 million, Darfur accounts for about 17% of Sudan’s total population. The region shares borders with Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan, adding to its significance in the broader regional context.
