The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has declared it has successfully captured the army headquarters in El-Fasher, a pivotal moment in the nation’s protracted civil war. This claim signifies a major advance for the RSF, potentially cementing their dominance in the Darfur region.
The RSF stated on social media that they had destroyed significant military vehicles and seized military equipment from the army’s 6th Division Headquarters. BBC Verify has corroborated the authenticity of social media videos depicting RSF fighters within the captured base.
This loss is a severe blow to government forces, as El-Fasher was their last significant stronghold in Darfur. The army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the reported capture.
For months, the RSF has maintained a siege around El-Fasher, subjecting army positions and the civilian population to continuous bombardment. An estimated 300,000 people remain trapped amidst the escalating violence.
The RSF’s advance towards the 6th Infantry Division command, considered the city’s primary army headquarters, has been ongoing for weeks. While some areas of El-Fasher remain under the control of the army and allied groups, their ability to hold out is now uncertain.
The conflict, which began in 2023 following a dispute between the RSF and army commanders, has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 150,000 lives have been lost, and approximately 12 million people have been displaced from their homes.
The army currently controls the northern and eastern parts of Sudan, with El-Fasher being the last major urban center in Darfur not under RSF control. The RSF, meanwhile, holds sway over most of Darfur and adjacent Kordofan regions. With the potential fall of El-Fasher, the RSF reportedly aims to establish a rival government in the city.
Additional reporting by Peter Mwai