Full Breakdown
Humanitarian Crisis Escalates in El Fasher Amid RSF Siege
10/7/2025, 1:57:58 PM
Overview of the Humanitarian Crisis
The city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensify their siege. Since the onset of Sudan's civil war in April 2023, more than one million people have fled El Fasher, with the population declining by 62 percent from 1.11 million to approximately 413,454. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the city has dropped from about 699,000 to 204,000 between March and September 2025.
Escalation of Violence
The RSF's aggressive tactics have included drone strikes and heavy artillery shelling, leading to significant civilian casualties. A recent drone attack on a mosque during Friday prayers resulted in over 70 deaths. Reports indicate that the RSF has targeted non-Arab populations, raising concerns about ethnically motivated violence. The United Nations has accused both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of committing atrocities, including murder, torture, and forced displacement.
Humanitarian Access and Conditions
Access to humanitarian aid has become increasingly restricted. Denise Brown, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, described Tawila, a town hosting around 600,000 displaced individuals, as "one of the epicenters of a humanitarian catastrophe." Aid convoys have been stalled for months due to security concerns, with at least 120 aid workers killed since the conflict began. The World Food Programme (WFP) has managed to reach some 250,000 people in El Fasher with cash transfers, but the overall situation remains dire, with 24 million people across Sudan facing acute food insecurity.
Criticism of the RSF and International Response
Christian groups and local resistance committees have called for the establishment of evacuation corridors to protect civilians trapped in El Fasher. Activists have described the RSF's actions as brutal and indiscriminate, with reports of the militia using churches for military purposes. The international community has been urged to take immediate action to prevent further violence and ensure aid access.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While the RSF has been accused of systematic violence, the SAF has also faced scrutiny for its role in the conflict. The situation remains fluid, with reports of ongoing fighting and humanitarian access challenges. The UN has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the largest in the world, with over 12 million people displaced since the conflict began.
Verbatim Quotes
- “El Fasher has become an open morgue today due to the continuous heavy artillery shelling since dawn,” — El Fasher Resistance Committees Coordination
- “Stop the violence, stop the war, let us through,” — Denise Brown, UN Humanitarian Coordinator
- “And the reason for that is that the technology of horror has evolved.” — Dr. Mukesh Kapila, Professor Emeritus of Global Health
What's Next
As the RSF continues to tighten its grip on El Fasher, the international community is faced with the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians. Ongoing negotiations for a humanitarian truce have yet to yield significant results, and the situation remains precarious for those trapped in the besieged city.
