KHARTOUM, Sudan – In a significant development in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on Tuesday that they had successfully captured several forward defensive positions previously held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state in western Sudan. The operation marks a critical escalation in the struggle for control over this strategically vital city, which has been under a suffocating RSF blockade since May 10, 2024.
According to a statement released by the SAF, their forces conducted “special operations” aimed at dislodging the RSF from key defensive outposts in and around El-Fasher. The military reported that these operations inflicted significant losses on the RSF, both in terms of personnel and equipment. While the exact number of casualties was not disclosed, the army claimed to have seized several combat vehicles and destroyed six others, including armored units, further weakening the RSF’s operational capacity in the region. The statement also highlighted that the RSF had launched a coordinated attack on the southern axis of El-Fasher, but SAF troops successfully repelled the assault, dealing a heavy blow to the paramilitary group.
The RSF, which has been engaged in a brutal power struggle with the SAF since April 2023, has yet to issue a formal response to the army’s claims. This silence could indicate either a strategic decision to avoid public acknowledgment of losses or an internal reassessment of their position in the conflict. The absence of a counter-statement from the RSF underscores the fluid and volatile nature of the situation in El-Fasher, where control over key territories shifts rapidly.
Strategic Importance of El-Fasher
El-Fasher, located in the heart of North Darfur, is more than just a regional capital—it is a linchpin for humanitarian operations across the five Darfur states. The city has historically served as a hub for aid distribution, hosting numerous international organizations and relief agencies that provide critical support to millions of displaced and vulnerable people in the region. The RSF’s blockade, which has been in place for nearly 18 months, has severely restricted access to food, medicine, and other essential supplies, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. International organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly warned of the catastrophic consequences of prolonged fighting in El-Fasher, with fears of famine and widespread suffering looming large.
The SAF’s recent gains in El-Fasher could prove to be a turning point in the broader conflict. The city’s strategic significance cannot be overstated: control over El-Fasher would give the SAF a foothold in western Sudan, potentially paving the way for further advances against RSF strongholds in Darfur. Analysts suggest that recapturing El-Fasher could deal a significant blow to the RSF’s morale and operational capabilities, particularly after the paramilitary group’s loss of key territories in Khartoum in August 2025. The capital’s liberation marked a major setback for the RSF, which had previously controlled significant portions of the city and used it as a base to project power across central Sudan.
A Shrinking RSF Footprint
The RSF’s territorial losses have been mounting in recent months. Once a dominant force in parts of Sudan, the paramilitary group has seen its influence wane as the SAF has expanded its military operations. In addition to Khartoum, the army has secured significant gains in White Nile and North Kordofan states, further squeezing the RSF’s operational space. These victories reflect a shift in momentum toward the SAF, which has capitalized on improved coordination, enhanced logistics, and international support to reclaim territory from the RSF.
The conflict between the SAF and the RSF, which erupted in mid-April 2023, has its roots in a power struggle between Sudan’s military leadership and the paramilitary group, which was originally formed as a successor to the notorious Janjaweed militias active during the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s. The rivalry between SAF leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo escalated into open warfare, plunging Sudan into one of the most devastating conflicts in its recent history. The fighting has not only destabilized Sudan but also reverberated across the region, drawing in external actors and complicating efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
The human toll of the conflict is staggering. According to estimates from the United Nations and local authorities, more than 20,000 people have been killed since the fighting began. However, a recent study conducted by American universities paints an even grimmer picture, estimating the death toll at approximately 130,000. The discrepancy in figures highlights the challenges of accurately documenting casualties in a warzone where access to information is limited, and both sides have been accused of downplaying or manipulating casualty figures for propaganda purposes.
Beyond the loss of life, the conflict has triggered one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Approximately 15 million people—nearly a third of Sudan’s population—have been forced to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) face dire conditions, with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. The blockade of El-Fasher has only worsened these challenges, as humanitarian organizations struggle to deliver aid to those trapped in the city.
The international community has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting and the lifting of the El-Fasher blockade, but diplomatic efforts have so far failed to yield meaningful results. Ceasefire negotiations, mediated by regional and international actors, including the African Union and the United Nations, have repeatedly collapsed due to mutual distrust between the SAF and the RSF. Both sides have accused each other of violating previous agreements, further complicating efforts to find a peaceful resolution.
Broader Implications
The SAF’s advances in El-Fasher come at a critical juncture in Sudan’s conflict. A decisive victory in the city could bolster the army’s position both militarily and politically, potentially strengthening General al-Burhan’s hand in future negotiations. However, it could also provoke a desperate counteroffensive from the RSF, which has shown resilience in the face of setbacks. The paramilitary group’s ability to regroup and launch retaliatory attacks remains a significant concern, particularly given its history of guerrilla tactics and deep ties to local communities in Darfur.
For the people of El-Fasher and the wider Darfur region, the stakes could not be higher. The city’s fate will likely determine whether humanitarian aid can flow freely again, offering a lifeline to millions of vulnerable civilians. The international community, while vocal in its condemnation of the violence, has been criticized for its inability to translate rhetoric into action. Sanctions, peacekeeping proposals, and aid pledges have done little to alleviate the suffering on the ground, leaving many Sudanese to fend for themselves in the face of unrelenting violence.
As the SAF consolidates its gains in El-Fasher, the world watches with bated breath. The outcome of this battle could reshape the trajectory of Sudan’s civil war, either paving the way for a broader military victory or prolonging a conflict that has already claimed too many lives. For now, the people of El-Fasher endure, caught in the crossfire of a war that shows no signs of abating.
