Sudan’s military has pulled back from the embattled city of El Fasher, effectively handing its last significant stronghold in the vast Darfur region over to paramilitary forces following a brutal, months-long confrontation.
El Fasher had become one of the fiercest battlegrounds in the two-year civil war between Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.). This strategic retreat means the R.S.F. now holds effective control over all of Darfur. On Monday, Sudan’s military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, publicly announced the withdrawal from El Fasher, stating it was done “to spare the rest of the citizens and the rest of the city from destruction.”
“The leadership there, including security, made assessments that they have to leave the city due to the systematic destruction and killing of civilians,” he declared in a televised address on state television. His statement followed the R.S.F.’s claims over the weekend that they had captured the army headquarters in El Fasher.
The R.S.F. has maintained a relentless siege on El Fasher since April 2024. This fierce assault led to a severe famine within the city, forced the displacement of approximately 500,000 civilians from a major camp, and subjected hospitals and homes to incessant drone and artillery attacks.
Securing El Fasher marks a significant triumph for the R.S.F. The paramilitary group now dominates Sudan’s western and southwestern territories, while the national army retains control of the east and the capital city, Khartoum.
Sudan’s civil war erupted in April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between rival generals. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes. Both the R.S.F. and the Sudanese Army face accusations of war crimes and severe human rights violations, with foreign powers reportedly supplying the weaponry that perpetuates the brutal fighting.
International officials, including those from the United States, had consistently warned of a potential massacre should El Fasher fall to the R.S.F. Many observers fear a repeat of the atrocities witnessed in El Geneina, another Darfur city, where the United Nations reported up to 15,000 civilians were killed after the R.S.F. seized control in late 2023.
In recent days, thousands of civilians have streamed out of El Fasher, according to various aid organizations. The United Nations Human Rights Office reported on Monday that it had received numerous accounts of the paramilitary group committing atrocities and executing civilians attempting to escape the city.
“The risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El Fasher is mounting by the day,” stated U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. The African Union also expressed deep concern “over the escalating violence and reported atrocities in El Fasher.”
Hannah Yi contributed to this report.