Clashes Escalate Between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher

Tensions escalated on Friday in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan, as violent clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to reports from the independent Sudan Tribune news portal.

Eyewitnesses reported fierce ground battles in central neighborhoods of El Fasher, with both SAF and RSF forces employing heavy weapons. The clashes resulted in casualties, with injured individuals being transported to El Fasher’s southern hospital.

An unnamed senior commander within the joint force of the Sudanese army and allied Darfuri armed groups confirmed that their forces launched a surprise attack on RSF positions in various areas of the city, including Al-Manhal School, Al-Borsa area, and Al-Kahraba neighborhood. The attack reportedly inflicted heavy losses in lives and military equipment on the RSF.

Governor Minni Arko Minnawi of the Darfur region claimed on social media that the joint forces had defeated the RSF, burned several combat vehicles, and forced the RSF to retreat from El Fasher. He accused the RSF of indiscriminately bombing civilian areas and destroying institutions in a scorched-earth policy.

In response, El Basha Tabig, advisor to the RSF Commander, accused the Sudanese army and its allied groups of initiating the attack on RSF positions east of El Fasher. Tabig asserted that the RSF successfully repulsed the attack and defeated the opposing forces.

Reports from El Fasher’s resistance committees highlighted civilian casualties resulting from the crossfire and bombardments between the SAF and RSF.

Social media platforms associated with the Sudanese army shared video clips of citizens celebrating with soldiers, showcasing vehicles allegedly seized during Friday’s battles. Conversely, RSF-affiliated platforms posted videos claiming RSF units were inside El Fasher.

Tensions have been mounting for weeks, with the RSF amassing fighters near El Fasher while the SAF and allied Darfuri armed groups bolstered their presence around the city. The United Nations recently warned of grave danger to approximately 800,000 people in El Fasher due to escalating violence, which risks sparking intercommunal strife across Darfur.

The conflict between the SAF and RSF, ongoing since April 15, 2023, has resulted in 14,790 fatalities and displaced an estimated 8.2 million people inside and outside of Sudan, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.