Field Gains by RSF, Army Responds with Airdrop in Central El-Fasher
Sudan Events – Agencies
A well-informed military source told Darfur24 on Monday that Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) managed to destroy the defensive system of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of El-Fasher, paving the way for the army to carry out its first airdrop operation in months. The military breakthrough comes after a prolonged siege imposed by the RSF on the city, marking a significant shift amid the operational challenges facing government forces in Darfur.
Airdrop Operation
On Monday morning, Sudanese Air Force aircraft conducted an airdrop in El-Fasher. This development follows the RSF’s downing of an SAF plane on April 3. The RSF had previously deployed guided missile systems around the city, making any attempt to breach its airspace highly risky. The source confirmed that the destruction of these systems had been completed within the past ten days, enabling the successful operation.
Relocation and Destruction
A senior source in the Joint Force revealed to Darfur24 that the RSF recently moved one of its air-defense systems to Nyala, while two others stationed around El-Fasher were destroyed. These maneuvers suggest a tactical repositioning by the RSF as military operations in the region intensify.
Stalled Agreement
According to the same source, the SAF and its allies had reached an understanding with Russian specialists to carry out airdrop missions in El-Fasher. However, Emirati intervention later derailed the agreement, the source said. The disruption underscores the complexity of the regional landscape and the competing international interests shaping the Sudanese conflict.
Lost Parachute
The source also noted that one of the parachutes used in the airdrop landed in an area under RSF control, leading to the disappearance of some military supplies. Several RSF-affiliated social media pages subsequently went offline after news spread of the lost consignment, highlighting the sensitivity of the incident and its media repercussions.
Field Advances
Since August, the RSF has made significant territorial gains around El-Fasher, drawing closer to SAF positions. This progress reflects an escalation in fighting and poses mounting challenges for government forces to hold their strategic strongholds inside the city.
Airspace Breach
A senior military source from the SAF’s Sixth Infantry Division told Darfur24 that an Antonov aircraft successfully carried out the airdrop mission, which included military supplies intended for the division. The operation marked the first successful breach of El-Fasher’s airspace since the onset of the siege—signaling a shift in the dynamics of the battlefield.
UN Denial
The military source denied any involvement by the United Nations or other international entities in the airdrop, countering reports that the mission might have carried humanitarian aid from the UN. The denial confirms the strictly military nature of the operation.
Public Relief
In the aftermath, many El-Fasher residents expressed relief, describing the airdrop as a sign that the army was regaining initiative. Civil activist Kamal Mohamed Yousif told Darfur24 that the operation restored a measure of reassurance among citizens who have endured months of siege.
Collapse of Services
The ongoing conflict in El-Fasher has led to the near-total collapse of public and private water supplies, with around 95% of hospitals and health facilities out of service and the remainder operating only partially. The breakdown of infrastructure has deepened the humanitarian crisis and amplified calls for urgent intervention to salvage what remains of essential services.
Prolonged Siege
Since April last year, the RSF has maintained a tight siege on El-Fasher in an effort to capture it as the SAF’s last major stronghold in Darfur. The blockade has left the city virtually isolated, creating an extremely complex security and humanitarian reality, as armed clashes continue and prospects for a political settlement remain slim.
