Sudanese Army and Allies Repel Fierce Attack in El Fasher
Sudan Events – Agencies
Military sources told Al Jazeera Net that the Sudanese army and the joint forces of the armed struggle movements succeeded on Sunday in repelling a large-scale attack launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the city of El Fasher in the Darfur region, western Sudan.
In the early hours of the morning, the RSF began its assault with heavy artillery shelling, followed by a ground attack from the north and northeast of the city. Drones flew heavily over the city during the battles, escalating tensions in the area.
The sources explained that the clashes erupted on the northern and northeastern fronts, where both heavy and light weapons were used. The army and allied groups managed to seize several military vehicles and destroy others, strengthening the army’s defensive position within the besieged city.
Colonel Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, the military spokesperson for the joint force, told Al Jazeera Net that the attack resulted in the deaths of dozens of RSF fighters, while others fled.
He confirmed that the attacking force, known as the “Strategic Battalion,” was highly trained and competent, and operated under the orders of RSF deputy commander Abdel Rahim Dagalo. Six armored vehicles were destroyed, 10 combat vehicles were burned, and military equipment and weapons were seized.
He added, “The militias tried to infiltrate the city’s defenses from the north, but reconnaissance and infantry units forcefully repelled them, causing them to retreat after suffering heavy losses in personnel and equipment.”
Humanitarian Catastrophe
As the battles rage, the residents of El Fasher face a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, with severe shortages of water, food, medicine, and shelter, along with insecurity due to artillery shelling targeting residential areas.
According to relief activist Mohamed Adam, the siege on the city has made accessing food nearly impossible, leading to a sharp increase in the prices of basic goods and rendering many families unable to meet their daily needs.
He stated, “The situation is catastrophic—El Fasher is not just a battlefield but a besieged city suffering from hunger, disease, and fear. The situation requires urgent action to save civilians and alleviate their suffering.”
In November 2023, the RSF expanded its operations to four states in Darfur—including the south, east, west, and central areas—in an attempt to gain control of the region, resulting in widespread massacres.
In April, the armed movements in El Fasher abandoned their neutrality and declared support for the Sudanese army, prompting the RSF to besiege the city and attack the nearby Zamzam camp.
War of Attrition
Observers believe that after losing many of its commanders, the RSF has adopted a new strategy based on imposing a strict siege and gradually draining the city through artillery bombardment, blocking supplies, and cutting off basic services.
In his statement to Al Jazeera, Colonel Ahmed Hussein Mustafa said that the RSF has recently shifted away from direct attacks. After its defeats in battles on the outskirts of El Fasher, it adopted a war of attrition strategy by enforcing a blockade, starvation, and shelling civilians from a distance in an attempt to weaken the resistance and force residents to surrender.
He added, “Despite these harsh conditions, the people of El Fasher and the joint forces of the armed struggle movements remain steadfast and ready to confront any hostile attempts. This is not just a military war, but an existential battle.”
Since mid-April 2023, the Sudanese army and the RSF have been engaged in a war that has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced or forced nearly 15 million into exile, according to the United Nations and local authorities. A study by American universities estimated the death toll at around 130,000.
Source: Al Jazeera
