In a devastating turn of events, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have captured El Fasher, the last military stronghold in Sudan’s Darfur region, marking a grim escalation in the 31-month-long conflict. The paramilitary group, notorious for its brutal tactics, reportedly killed and detained hundreds of civilians during the takeover, which began on Sunday. The Sudanese military withdrew from the city, citing concerns for civilian safety after enduring over a year of relentless RSF attacks. General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the military chief, condemned the RSF’s ‘systemic destruction and killing of civilians.’
The United Nations has described the situation as a ‘terrible escalation,’ with reports of summary executions, sexual violence, and house-to-house raids emerging from the city. Graphic footage on social media shows RSF fighters shooting and beating civilians attempting to flee, while others were detained and abused. Amnesty International’s Tigere Chagutah called the reports ‘horrifying’ and urged the RSF to cease attacks and allow humanitarian aid.
Medical workers were not spared, with five abducted, including doctors and nurses. Satellite imagery analyzed by Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab revealed scenes consistent with mass killings, including gun-mounted trucks and reddish earth discoloration, possibly indicating bloodshed. The RSF, which evolved from the Janjaweed militias accused of genocide in the 2000s, has not responded to the allegations. The Biden administration has accused the RSF of committing genocide in the current conflict.
The fall of El Fasher raises fears of Sudan’s fragmentation, reminiscent of South Sudan’s secession a decade ago. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an end to foreign military support to the warring parties, hinting at external interference undermining peace efforts. Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported the killing of five volunteers in Kordofan state, underscoring the peril faced by humanitarian workers.
The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives, displaced 14 million people, and created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with parts of Sudan, including El Fasher, facing famine. The international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and halt the atrocities.