The article outlines the recent violent clashes in the besieged city of el-Fasher, detailing the RSF's aggressive takeover of significant locations and the ensuing chaos and humanitarian fallout from the ongoing civil war.
RSF's Assault on El-Fasher: A City in Despair

RSF's Assault on El-Fasher: A City in Despair
The Rapid Support Forces' recent offensive in el-Fasher highlights the dire humanitarian crisis facing Sudan.
In a dramatic escalation of conflict, the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a brazen assault on the beleaguered city of el-Fasher, resulting in a seven-hour battle that has left the local population in perpetual fear. Witnesses reported that RSF fighters seized control of vital locations, including a livestock market, a military base, and Shalla prison, sharing videos of their dominance on social media. This offensive marks the first mass entry of RSF troops into el-Fasher in the 15 months since the city's siege—a protracted struggle for control of the city in western Darfur.
On the following day, el-Fasher's military countered, managing to push the RSF forces back behind the city limits, claiming to have inflicted substantial losses on the attackers. However, the situation remained precarious, with continued RSF shelling reported as civilian casualties mounted. Local resident Siddig Omar recounted a particularly devastating incident where drone strikes led to the deaths of five civilians in a vehicle near his home.
Since the outset of Sudan's civil war in April 2023, violence has surged, leading to widespread starvation and rampant human rights abuses in Darfur. With over 150,000 lives lost and 12 million people displaced, the conflict has escalated into what the United Nations describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Teetering on the brink, el-Fasher stands as the last bastion of military control in the region, yet a communications blackout obscures the realities on the ground, as information can only trickle in through satellite connections. The RSF's recent offensive follows a series of artillery and drone attacks, further complicating the humanitarian outlook. Amidst fears of famine, residents are increasingly desperate; local aid workers describe families resorting to extreme measures for survival, with supplies running perilously low.
Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) highlighted the mounting challenges faced by local volunteers, pointing out that residents now grapple with food shortages and healthcare inadequacies. "No medicines in hospitals... the situation here is truly terrible," expressed a resident, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.
As the humanitarian landscape grows increasingly dire, international engagement and support seem to wane. The ICC has indicated that war crimes and crimes against humanity have likely been committed in Darfur, drawing attention to the severity of allegations that have persisted over the last two years. Despite the dire circumstances, many hope for urgent intervention and aid to rescue those suffering, as the cry for help reverberates through the war-torn streets of el-Fasher.