Sudan’s Paramilitary RSF claims to have seized control of a major military base in El Fasher

The Sudanese-backed forces close to Sudan (RSF) said they took over the military headquarters over the weekend in the town of El Fasher, the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in western Sudan in the West Darfur region.

Two videos shared by the RSF showed its soldiers parading in front of the Army’s Funtry Base. Reuters was able to confirm the location but not the date of the videos. The army did not immediately provide a statement on its current situation.

The capture of El Fasher will be a major victory for the RSF and could accelerate the physical division of the country by enabling the united group to consolidate its control of the large region of Darfur, which we said as the foundation of the same government established this same summer.

It comes after Saturday on Saturday captured the city of Bara in North Kordodan, the state that built a barrier between Darfur and the capital of Sudan and the Army – East of the country.

The RSF had besieged El Fasher for the past 18 months as it fought back from the army and former rebels and local fighters.

Targeting civilians in regular drone and artillery attacks, while the siege led to the death of 250,000 people living in the west of the city, which is the capital of North Darfur State State.

Some activists have warned that taking over El Fashel’s RSF will lead to nationalist attacks, as seen after the takeover of the Zamzam camp by Southerners.

Reuters could not reach local residents, who rely on starlink terminals to access the Internet provided by the long-term telecom.

It reports sexual assault, murder on the ground

Last week, the RSF said it was facilitating the evacuation of civilians and offered to fight El Fasher, but those who have reported being treated, kidnapped, sexually abused and killed by RSF soldiers on the way.

In this video posted by a senior official of the RSF-LED Tasis Government, the RSF soldiers say they are protecting a long-time inspector of many deserters in El Fasher, who say they are soldiers. Reuters could not confirm the date or location of the footage.

An authorized official said last month that the RSF committed several crimes against humanity in the El Fasher Siege. The army has also been accused of war crimes.

The Committees of El Fasher Resistance, a local activist group, said in a statement that the city’s fighting continues, accusing the leadership of the army of leaving the fighting in the city to fight their own.

Drone footage shared by RSF, in which Reuters confirmed the location as more than one block west of El Fasher, showed vehicles and people on foot moving. It was not clear whether these were civilians or soldiers. The footage seen on social media is that Reuters could not confirm the points shown of the suspects fighting in RSF Gcina.

The war is killing millions, causing widespread famine

The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023, when the two forces, previously sharing power, clashed over plans to consolidate their forces during the democratic era.

The fighting displaced millions, left half of Sudan in famine, and spread disease throughout the country.

Last weekend, the United States called Emirati, Egyptian and Saudi officials to discuss a possible peace plan.

Sudan’s foreign ministry said officials are in Washington for joint talks. However, the ruling council of the Khole monarchy denied reports that representatives of the two armies were involved in indirect talks.