The United Nations is calling for safe passage for civilians trapped in the war-hit city of el-Fasher, Sudan, after paramilitary fighters, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), announced they seized control of the army’s main base.
The military hasn’t acknowledged the loss, and fighting continues in parts of the city.
El-Fasher, the last army foothold in Darfur, has been under siege for 18 months, leading to severe shortages of food, healthcare, and safety.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are caught in the crossfire, facing shelling, starvation, and lack of access to essential services.
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s top humanitarian official, expressed deep concern over civilian casualties, emphasizing that civilians must be allowed safe passage and access to aid.
The US is also working towards a ceasefire and safe passage for civilians.
The conflict has displaced millions, with over 150,000 deaths reported across Sudane since 2023. The RSF’s capture of el-Fasher would be a significant victory, potentially prolonging the civil war.
The city has become an epicentre of suffering, with reports of ethnically targeted attacks and widespread human rights abuses.
