Sudan city faces unprecedented fighting amid paramilitary siege

Heavy fighting erupted in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, as paramilitary forces besieged the city, which has been under attack since May 2023. The conflict has escalated significantly, with reports of unprecedented combat operations involving both the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Witnesses described the city as largely deserted, with intense explosions and bombardments making the central market area uninhabitable. The situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and famine reported in nearby camps. The Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab confirmed a major increase in combat activity, noting a multidirectional RSF attack on the city. Despite claims from the Darfur governor that the army repelled a large RSF assault, the paramilitaries reported capturing military sites. Satellite imagery indicated extensive damage from aerial bombardments and RSF attacks, raising concerns about the potential destruction of El-Fasher. The United Nations has highlighted the war's devastating impact, creating the world's largest displacement crisis. The conflict has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with estimates reaching as high as 150,000. The U.S. special envoy for Sudan expressed deep concern over the renewed RSF attacks and called for an end to the violence. As the fighting continues, independent UN experts have urged for the deployment of an impartial force to protect civilians. However, Sudan's foreign ministry, aligned with the army, has rejected this proposal, complicating efforts to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.