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Rapid Support Forces

Sudan's Civil War Escalates as RSF Captures Government-Allied Base in el-Fasher

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Violent clashes have escalated in Sudan's besieged city of el-Fasher in North Darfur, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group claims to have seized a government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) base. The base, known as the Six Infantry Division, was seen as the last stronghold of the SAF in the western region. The RSF has been besieging el-Fasher for 18 months, targeting civilians in frequent drone and artillery attacks, causing acute suffering and starvation among the city's 250,000 residents.

Key Takeaways:

  • The RSF has claimed to have captured a government-aligned SAF base in el-Fasher, dealing a significant blow to the Sudanese army.
  • The siege of el-Fasher has caused severe suffering and starvation among the city's 250,000 residents, with frequent drone and artillery attacks by the RSF.
  • The RSF has been accused of committing multiple crimes against humanity in the siege of el-Fasher, including ethnic attacks and targeting of civilians.
  • The Sudanese army has also been accused of atrocities in the conflict.
  • The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced 12 million, making it the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
  • The RSF has now taken control of the Six Infantry Division, but the SAF forces have withdrawn and rebased themselves around the city.
  • The capture of el-Fasher by the RSF could lead to a physical split of the country and enable the paramilitary group to consolidate its control over the vast Darfur region.
  • Activists have long warned that an RSF takeover of the city would lead to ethnic attacks, as seen after the capture of the Zamzam camp to the south.
  • Last week, the RSF facilitated the exit of civilians and surrendered fighters from el-Fasher, but those who left reported robberies, sexual assaults, and killings by RSF soldiers on the way.
  • The United Nations-mandated mission has raised concerns about the RSF's actions in el-Fasher, including multiple crimes against humanity.
  • UN agencies have warned that thousands of children face imminent death as they remain cut off from food and healthcare.

Statistics:

  • The conflict in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people.
  • 12 million people have been displaced due to the conflict.
  • 30 million people in Sudan require humanitarian aid.
  • The siege of el-Fasher has caused severe suffering and starvation among the city's 250,000 residents.
  • The RSF has been besieging el-Fasher for 18 months.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera, October 25, 2025, "Sudan's army battles RSF advances in el-Fasher, Bera as civil war rages"
  • Al Jazeera, October 25, 2025, "El-Fasher siege: Starvation and a media blackout"
  • Al Jazeera, October 23, 2025, "Sudan's Khartoum targeted by RSF drones for third day after airport reopens"

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