AFRICA/SUDAN – RSF militiamen claim to have captured El Fasher, the city in North Darfur, under siege for 18 months

Khartoum – The situation remains uncertain in El Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, which has been under siege for 18 months by the militiamen of the Rapid Support Forces . They claimed to have captured the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ Sixth Division yesterday, Sunday, October 26, located on the outskirts of the city. The sixth division is the military unit defending El Fasher along with groups of militiamen from other irregular groups that oppose the RSF.
So far, the SAF has neither confirmed nor denied the report. However, reports have emerged from the besieged city of continued fighting and acts of violence against the civilian population, including mass killings and kidnappings, as well as looting and destruction of civilian buildings and healthcare facilities.
The RSF has maintained the siege of El Fasher for 18 months. The city represents the SAF’s last stronghold in the Darfur region, where some 300,000 people have been trapped. If the fall of El Fasher to the RSF is confirmed, it would mark the first major turning point in months for these militias, who until now had been on the defensive. The RSF currently controls large areas of Darfur and Kordofan, while the SAF dominates much of the country’s southeastern regions and areas along the Nile River. The RSF has also claimed to have taken control of the town of Umm Dam Haj Ahmed in North Kordofan, from the SAF, which had captured it in early September. These new territorial gains have been
preceded in recent days by a series of drone attacks launched by the militias against several targets in Khartoum, including the capital’s airport.
RSF leaders have stated that they will now coordinate with the newly established administration of the Sudan Founding Alliance to “protect civilians, open humanitarian corridors, and begin reconstruction.” Official TASIS coalition channels have confirmed the news, emphasizing that the Darfur capital is currently under their control. TASIS, which has emerged in recent months as an alternative government to the Sudanese government , has claimed control of the main local institutions in El Fasher.
Developments on the ground must also be interpreted in light of the summit on Sudan currently taking place in Washington between members of the so-called “Quad” , aimed at promoting a roadmap for peace. RSF and SAF envoys participated in indirect talks mediated by the United States at the end of October.

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