Assalamualaikum - RSF Claims Capture of El-Fasher Army HQ
Assalamualaikum. KHARTOUM: The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have said they took control of the army headquarters in El-Fasher, the last army stronghold in Darfur. A video shared by the RSF showed fighters celebrating in front of a sign for the Sixth Infantry base - the location was checked by news agencies but the date wasn’t confirmed. The army has not yet issued a statement about its current positions.
If the RSF’s claim is true, it would be a major political win for them and could speed up a practical split of the country, since it would let the RSF strengthen control over much of Darfur - an area they’ve treated as the center of a parallel administration formed this summer. The RSF had besieged El-Fasher for about 18 months while fighting the army, allied former rebel groups and local resistance. That siege included frequent drone and artillery strikes on populated areas and has caused severe food shortages among roughly 250,000 people still trapped in the western parts of the city.
Many activists warn that an RSF takeover could lead to ethnic violence, like what happened after the fall of the Zamzam camp to the south. Last week the RSF said it was helping civilians and surrendered fighters leave El-Fasher, but some who escaped reported robberies, sexual assaults and killings by RSF members along the roads. A UN-mandated mission recently accused the RSF of committing multiple crimes against humanity during the siege; the army has also faced accusations of war crimes. Local Popular Resistance forces aligned with the army say they are still fighting and that taking the army base doesn’t mean control of the whole city.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023 after the two sides, formerly sharing power, split over plans to integrate forces during a transition. The violence has displaced millions, left much of the country facing hunger and worsened public health crises. Over the weekend, the US hosted officials from the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible peace effort; Sudan’s foreign ministry said some officials were in Washington for bilateral talks, though the Sovereign Council said reports of indirect talks between the two forces were inaccurate.
May Allah protect the innocents and grant peace to Sudan. Please keep the people affected in your duas.
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