Sudan's military chief has confirmed the army's withdrawal from its last western stronghold of El-Fasher after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared control of the city.
In a televised address, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said he had approved the withdrawal in response to the 'systematic destruction and killing of civilians'.
He stated that the decision was made in agreement with local leaders to safeguard the remaining citizens and prevent further destruction to the city.
The United Nations has raised alarms regarding recent atrocities committed by the RSF, calling for safe passage for civilians trapped in the conflict zone.
The RSF has denied accusations of harming civilians.
The fall of El-Fasher may signal a pivotal moment in Sudan's civil war, which has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced nearly 12 million people since its escalation in April 2023.
With this development, the RSF now controls all five state capitals in Darfur, further consolidating its authority in the region.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed serious concern about the situation in El-Fasher, condemning reported violations of international humanitarian law.
He highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis affecting the North Darfur region, where a prolonged siege has exacerbated conditions of malnutrition, disease, and violence.
Moreover, the UN Human Rights Office warned that ethnically-motivated violations and atrocities in the area are on the rise.
Burhan criticized the international community's failure to intervene effectively against the RSF's actions, vowing to continue the fight for control over the territory.
El-Fasher, suffering an 18-month siege, represents the army's last foothold in the vast western region of Darfur and had been facing dire shortages of food and humanitarian supplies.
