Why it matters:
The fall of El Fasher marks a turning point in Sudan’s civil war, which has raged since April 2023. Satellite imagery and field reports from Yale University and Sudanese civil networks reveal mass graves, looted hospitals, and starvation-level conditions. The Sudan Doctors’ Network reported 47 civilians killed by RSF forces in Bara, North Kordofan.
The big picture:
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described El Fasher as “at breaking point,” with civilians “shelled, starving, and without access to healthcare, food, or safety.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a “terrible escalation” and urged countries to stop supplying weapons to both sides of the conflict.
The RSF has reportedly built a 57-kilometer earthen wall around El Fasher, cutting off all escape routes.
Former MP and activist Siham Hassan was among those executed by RSF forces, according to local media.
What they’re saying:
Sudan’s PM to Al Jazeera: “What’s happening in El Fasher constitutes war crimes and ethnic cleansing.”
UN: “We call for an immediate ceasefire in El Fasher and across Sudan.”
Guterres: “Foreign interference and arms transfers are undermining peace.”
Go deeper:
Rapid Support Forces Kills 47 Civilians in Sudan’s North Kordofan
Hossein Amiri - Hossein Vaez
