The Sudanese military has pulled out of El Fasher, a crucial city in western Sudan, following a grueling, months-long conflict against a powerful paramilitary organization. This strategic withdrawal, confirmed by Sudan’s army chief, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s ongoing turmoil.
With the military’s departure, the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), now assert control over the entirety of the vast Darfur region. The R.S.F. had recently announced its capture of the army headquarters within the beleaguered city of El Fasher, setting the stage for this definitive shift.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military commander, announced the withdrawal in a televised address on Monday. He stated the decision was made “to spare the rest of the citizens and the rest of the city from destruction,” emphasizing that leadership had determined a pullout was necessary due to “systematic destruction and killing of civilians.”
For months, since April 2024, the R.S.F. had laid relentless siege to El Fasher. This brutal campaign led to a severe famine, forced approximately 500,000 displaced civilians from their camp, and saw countless drone and artillery attacks devastate hospitals and homes.
The capture of El Fasher represents a significant triumph for the R.S.F., giving them dominion over all major urban centers in Darfur. Consequently, Sudan is now effectively divided: the paramilitaries command the western and southwestern territories, while the national army retains control of the eastern regions and the capital, Khartoum.