What's happened
The Sudanese paramilitary RSF has captured El-Fasher, the last major city outside their control in Darfur, after 18 months of siege. The move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with civilians suffering from attacks and a humanitarian crisis worsening.
What's behind the headline?
The RSF's recent seizure of El-Fasher signifies a strategic victory that consolidates its control over Darfur, potentially leading to a de facto partition of Sudan. This move erodes the central authority of the Sudanese army and could entrench regional divisions. The siege and attacks have inflicted severe humanitarian suffering, with reports of civilian casualties, malnutrition, and collapsing health infrastructure. The conflict's escalation is likely to prolong instability, deepen regional fragmentation, and hinder international efforts for peace. The capture of El-Fasher also signals the RSF's intent to establish a parallel administration, which could complicate future negotiations and peace processes. The international community's concern over potential massacres and humanitarian crises underscores the urgency of diplomatic intervention, but prospects remain uncertain amid ongoing hostilities.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports the RSF's seizure of El-Fasher, highlighting the group's control over the city and the broader Darfur region, with drone footage showing retreating army vehicles and celebrations. Al Jazeera emphasizes the humanitarian toll, noting the siege's impact on civilians, including malnutrition and medical collapse, and details ongoing clashes and drone strikes. Both sources agree that the RSF's advances mark a major escalation, with the potential to reshape Sudan's territorial and political landscape. While The New Arab focuses on military developments and territorial control, Al Jazeera underscores the humanitarian catastrophe and civilian suffering, illustrating the multifaceted impact of the conflict.
How we got here
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which has escalated into a broader regional crisis. The RSF has been expanding its control in Darfur, capturing key cities and overrun displacement camps, amid ongoing fighting and sieges that have caused widespread suffering and displacement. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people, creating the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Go deeper
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an
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