The Sudanese city of el-Fasher has become the epicenter of a deepening humanitarian crisis as paramilitary forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), claim control over the army’s main base in the region. Despite the RSF’s declaration, Sudan’s military has yet to acknowledge the loss of this strategic stronghold, which would mark a significant turning point in the ongoing civil war. El-Fasher, the last remaining army foothold in Darfur, has been under siege by the RSF and its allies for 18 months, with intense fighting erupting since Saturday after the RSF captured the North Darfur governor’s residence. Verified social media footage shows RSF fighters celebrating their alleged victory, though local army allies report that clashes persist in parts of the city. The RSF has been accused of targeting civilians in airstrikes and trapping nearly 250,000 people by encircling the city with an earth wall, leaving many on the brink of starvation. The United Nations has described el-Fasher as an ‘epicenter of suffering,’ with UN humanitarian official Tom Fletcher expressing deep alarm over civilian casualties and the dire conditions faced by those trapped. Fletcher emphasized the urgent need for safe passage and access to aid for civilians, a call echoed by the United States, which is actively seeking to broker a ceasefire. The capture of el-Fasher would represent a crucial comeback for the RSF following their defeat in Khartoum, but it also signals the likelihood of prolonged conflict rather than resolution. Since 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese army, resulting in over 150,000 deaths and displacing approximately 12 million people. The army retains control over much of the north and east, while the RSF dominates Darfur and large parts of Kordofan. The RSF has previously expressed ambitions to establish a rival government in el-Fasher, further complicating the path to peace. As the crisis deepens, the international community continues to call for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.