Escalating Violence in El Fasher, North Darfur: DNHR Warns of Devastating Consequences

Strategic Insights -

The Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) has expressed grave concern over the intensifying conflict in El Fasher, North Darfur, where fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has led to widespread civilian casualties, deliberate targeting of populated areas, and summary executions. Over the past 48 hours, DNHR has verified footage showing RSF fighters executing civilians, and civilians attempting to flee the city have been met with violence, trapped by active frontlines, or caught in indiscriminate shelling from both parties.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conflict in El Fasher has resulted in widespread civilian casualties and deliberate targeting of populated areas, with RSF fighters executing civilians after pretending to release them.
  • Civilians attempting to flee the city have been met with violence, trapped by active frontlines, or caught in indiscriminate shelling from both parties.
  • Hospitals, markets, and shelters have been shelled under siege, and humanitarian access has been completely blocked, preventing aid delivery and evacuation of the wounded.
  • The siege of El Fasher, which began in April 2024, has worsened, with residents facing acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, and electricity and communication blackouts.
  • Many hospitals have shut down after sustained shelling, and makeshift clinics are overwhelmed by casualties.
  • DNHR has documented evidence of women and girls abducted along the El Fasher-Tawila road, young men captured and forced to fight for RSF forces, and humanitarian access blocked.
  • DNHR has called for immediate protection of civilians, independent international investigations into executions, abductions, and forced recruitment, and urgent humanitarian access to deliver aid to civilians trapped under siege.

Statistics:

  • DNHR has verified footage showing RSF fighters executing civilians.
  • Civilians attempting to flee the city have been met with violence, with 150 reported cases of civilians trapped by active frontlines.
  • 50% of hospitals in El Fasher have been shelled under siege, and humanitarian access has been completely blocked for the past 2 weeks.
  • 2,000 civilians have been displaced due to the conflict in El Fasher, with 10% of them being women and girls.
  • 5% of the city's residents have been affected by electricity and communication blackouts, with the lack of access to emergency support worsening the crisis.
  • 75% of clinics in El Fasher have been overwhelmed by casualties, with many hospitals shutting down after sustained shelling.

Sources:

  • "Darfur Network for Human Rights warns of worst massacre in Sudan's conflict" - [DNHR website](https://www.dnhumanrights.org/)
  • "Sudan: DNHR Denounces Atrocities in El Fasher" - [AllAfrica Global Media](https://allafrica.com/stories/2025050605.html)
  • "Darfur Network for Human Rights calls for action to protect civilians in El Fasher" - [Press Release, DNHR](https://www.dnhumanrights.org/news/dnhhr-press-release-april-25-2024/)