The escalating violence in Sudan’s North Darfur state has reached a critical point, with dozens dead and people trapped in El Fasher city, home to around 800,000 residents. The United Nations has issued a warning of a potential coordinated attack on the city, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) encircle El Fasher, while the Sudanese Armed Forces position themselves.
The UN spokesperson’s office emphasized the devastating consequences an attack would have on civilians, especially in an area already on the brink of famine. With around 25 million people in Sudan requiring humanitarian aid and over eight million forced to flee their homes, the situation is dire.
Reports indicate that indiscriminate attacks using mortar shells and rockets have been launched in residential districts, leading to further casualties. The High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the fear and danger faced by civilians in El Fasher, as they are trapped and at risk of being killed if they try to escape.
The situation in Darfur has been exacerbated by a severe shortage of essential supplies, with delivery trucks unable to pass through RSF-controlled territory. The burning of villages and the potential for ethnically motivated violence raise concerns of mass killings.
The UN has described the crisis in Sudan as “wholly man-made,” emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to protect civilians and provide assistance to those in dire need. The siege of El Fasher poses an extreme and immediate danger, highlighting the urgent need for international action to prevent further loss of life.