In brief
Recent satellite images from Yale University highlight the construction of a lengthy earthen barrier around el-Fasher, Sudan, indicating a strategic move by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This escalation follows the city being under siege for over a year, exacerbating the plight of around 300,000 residents who face attacks and dwindling resources. Reports confirm attacks on civilian areas, with many trying to flee being targeted by RSF forces, leading to urgent calls for humanitarian assistance.
Recent analysis from the Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab reveals that a substantial earthen wall is being constructed around el-Fasher, marking a troubling development in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. These satellite images indicate over 31 kilometers of raised banks have been laid down since May, primarily in regions under the influence of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
El-Fasher has been enduring a prolonged siege for more than a year, serving as the last significant bastion for Sudan's national army against the RSF, which has been engaged in military actions since April 2023. The Sudan Doctors Network has reported an alarming increase in offensive attacks by the RSF, often with civilians as direct targets.
Recent incidents reveal the devastation inflicted on civilian life, including a deadly shelling incident that resulted in the loss of nearly 24 lives and injuries to dozens more. Both city centers and hospitals have been targeted, sparking outrage over the intentional nature of these assaults.
According to the Yale report, the berms being constructed not only impede escape for the residents but also block critical access for humanitarian aid. Living conditions have deteriorated drastically, plunging the population into a state of severe food scarcity and limited medical resources.
With approximately 300,000 people residing in el-Fasher, the humanitarian implications are dire. Efforts to escape the city have proven dangerous, as civilians risk deadly reprisals from the RSF. The ongoing conflict raises fears of escalating ethnic violence, with reports suggesting targeted attacks on non-Arab groups.
Pleading for international intervention, Adeeb Abdel Rahman Youssef, a former governor of central Darfur, urges the UN to protect el-Fasher's civilian population, which is facing unprecedented adversity without adequate support. As construction of the barrier continues, observers worry that a complete RSF takeover of el-Fasher could destabilize the entire region, prompting calls for immediate action to assist a vulnerable populace struggling for survival.
