Sudan’s military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has confirmed the army’s withdrawal from its last western stronghold of El-Fasher after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared control of the city.
The withdrawal, approved by Gen al-Burhan, aims to protect civilians and prevent further destruction in the city.
The RSF has denied accusations of killing civilians, but the UN has raised concerns about reported atrocities and called for safe passage for trapped civilians.
The fall of El-Fasher marks a significant turning point in Sudan’s civil war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people since April 2023.
The city’s capture gives the RSF control over all five state capitals in Darfur, consolidating its parallel administration.
Gen al-Burhan denounced the international community’s inaction in ending atrocities and vowed to fight until the land is “purified”.
The UN has condemned reported violations of international humanitarian law and warned of increasing large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El-Fasher.
