At least 30 civilians and 17 soldiers killed as the RSF press deeper towards the capital of North Darfur, says governor.
Tragedy struck the Sudanese city of El-Fasher once again as dozens of civilians and soldiers lost their lives in a recent wave of violence. The governor of North Darfur, Minni Minnawi, revealed that at least 30 civilians and 17 soldiers fell victim to the attacks on Friday. The escalating conflict paints a grim picture as the violence shows no signs of abating, continuing for over a year since the conflict’s inception.
The eruption of war in Sudan in mid-April last year was the culmination of a long-standing feud between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ensuing violence has claimed thousands of lives, displaced nearly 9 million people, and led to an imminent famine and humanitarian crisis. What began as a conflict in the capital Khartoum soon spilled over into Darfur, reigniting ethnic tensions and historical rivalries stemming from a brutal war in the early 2000s.
El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, stands as the last bastion yet to succumb to the advances of the RSF, who have seized control of most major cities in the western Sudanese state. The relentless push by the RSF has prompted ex-Darfur rebel leaders Minnawi and Jibril Ibrahim to break their months-long neutrality and align themselves with the SAF in November last year.
The RSF, formerly known as the “Janjaweed” by rebel groups, traces its origins back to the Arab militia responsible for the mass killings of non-Arabs in Darfur during the previous conflict. With Minnawi and Ibrahim’s decision to join the war on the SAF’s side, the Sudanese army has maintained a stronghold in El-Fasher, symbolizing the last stand against the RSF’s momentum.
Minnawi’s remarks about the looming threat faced by civilians in El-Fasher underscore the desperation of the situation. Thousands of innocent lives hang in the balance as the city teeters on the brink of falling to the RSF. Alex de Waal, the executive director of the World Peace Foundation, warns that the city’s capture could lead to heightened brutality against civilians and exacerbate the already unfolding famine in Darfur.
De Waal emphasizes the strategic significance of El-Fasher, being the last bastion of the internationally-recognized government in Darfur. The potential fall of the city to the RSF raises concerns of widespread violence and potential massacres of civilians, as seen in other areas under their control.
The impending crisis in El-Fasher is a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Sudan. The plight of civilians trapped amidst the warring factions underscores the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of innocent men, women, and children caught in the crossfire.