Ethnic Violence Erupts in El Fasher as RSF Gains Control

Reports have emerged of severe ethnic violence in El Fasher, a city in Sudan’s Darfur region, following its takeover by the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over the weekend. Eyewitness accounts and videos released by local activists depict horrific scenes, including unarmed civilians being shot at point-blank range. The situation has escalated alarmingly, raising concerns about widespread atrocities and potential ethnic cleansing.

Footage shared online purportedly shows dozens of bodies lying on the ground, alongside burnt vehicles, although this material has not been independently verified. On Tuesday, the Joint Forces, which align with Sudan’s army, claimed that the RSF executed over 2,000 unarmed civilians in recent days. This assertion remains unverified, but the Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab has indicated it has gathered evidence supporting allegations of mass killings linked to the RSF activities.

The Yale lab noted that El Fasher appears to be experiencing systematic ethnic cleansing targeting the Fur, Zaghawa, and Berti communities. The organization described operations that seem to involve “door-to-door clearance,” suggesting a planned approach to displace these ethnic groups and execute civilians.

The RSF declared on Sunday that it had seized the main military base in El Fasher, proclaiming its control over the city from “mercenaries and militias.” Meanwhile, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chief of the Sudanese army, confirmed on Monday that his forces had retreated to a “safer location,” acknowledging the loss of the city.

Since the onset of the conflict in April 2023, more than 150,000 people have been killed, and over 14 million have been displaced due to ongoing violence between the RSF and the army. Concerns have intensified regarding the safety of the tens of thousands of civilians trapped in El Fasher, where the RSF has maintained an 18-month siege.

The United Nations human rights commissioner, Volker Türk, emphasized the increasing risk of ethnically motivated violence in El Fasher. His office reported receiving multiple alarming accounts indicating that the RSF is committing atrocities, including summary executions of civilians attempting to flee. Reports also highlight the ethnic motivations behind these killings, supported by videos showing unarmed men shot and surrounded by RSF fighters who allege they are affiliated with the Sudanese army.

Communication with civilians in El Fasher remains nearly impossible due to a media blackout enforced by the ongoing conflict. The Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate has stated that all forms of communication, including satellite networks, have been cut off.

In response to the escalating crisis, Simon Harris, Ireland’s Tánaiste, expressed his horror at the reports from El Fasher and urged the RSF to take immediate action to halt these violent acts. He reiterated the obligation of all warring parties in Sudan to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access, in line with international humanitarian law. Ireland has committed €14 million in humanitarian aid to assist those affected in Sudan and neighboring countries, emphasizing the need for continuous support as long as the crisis persists.

According to the UN, over 1 million people have fled El Fasher since the war began, while approximately 260,000 civilians, half of whom are children, remain trapped and without access to aid. Many of these individuals have resorted to consuming animal fodder to survive.

The RSF’s capture of El Fasher, the last significant city in Darfur still held by the army, signifies a pivotal shift in the ongoing conflict, granting the paramilitary group control over all five state capitals in the region. This development raises concerns among experts about the potential for the partition of Sudan, as the army now finds itself excluded from a third of the country’s territory. The international community watches closely as the situation unfolds, with increasing fears for the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.