The paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has made headlines once again as they stormed the embattled city of el-Fasher in Sudan, marking a significant moment in the relentless power struggle that has engulfed the region. This latest assault unfolded over seven hours on Friday, during which RSF fighters claimed control over critical areas, including the city's livestock market and a prison. This marks the first large-scale incursion by RSF fighters into el-Fasher in over 15 months, a situation that has spiraled into chaos since the start of the conflict in April 2023.
With videos circulating on social media showcasing their dominance at the market, RSF forces announced their control over the empty stockyards, a grim indicator of the city's current state. In a counterattack, the Sudanese army managed to push the RSF forces back beyond the city limits by Saturday morning, reporting substantial losses inflicted on the paramilitary group. Nonetheless, local residents reported ongoing shelling, including drone strikes that tragically resulted in civilian casualties.
Residents like 65-year-old Siddig Omar described the environment as a living nightmare. "What we're hearing are stories of horror and terror," said Mathilde Vu from the Norwegian Refugee Council, as she discussed the anguish faced by citizens amid relentless bombardments that target civilian infrastructure. Local volunteers continue to risk their lives to provide basic provisions to the starving population. "There is no bread, no food, and no work," lamented another resident, highlighting the extent of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the city.
As the United Nations has characterized the situation as the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 150,000 casualties and roughly 12 million internally displaced, the additional burden on the people of el-Fasher grows. Reports suggest that essential resources like food and medicine have become virtually unavailable, forcing residents to resort to subsistence on food waste from local peanut oil production—an unsustainable solution that has also dwindled due to factory closures.
Despite these desperate realities, aid and international engagement appear lacking, stirring frustrations for those enduring the brunt of violence and poverty. "People just rely on the solidarity of others," Vu expressed, emphasizing the dire need for support as the situation worsens.
As the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to document the unfolding atrocities, the humanitarian implications remain grim for the citizens of Sudan, especially those trapped in conflict zones like el-Fasher.
