Renewed clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces erupted today, Sunday, in the city of El Fasher in North Darfur state, according to correspondents of the “Al Arabiya” and “Al-Hadath” channels.
Columns of smoke rose in El Fasher as a result of mutual shelling between the army and Rapid Support Forces, while clashes are ongoing in the eastern outskirts of El Fasher.
This comes after the United Nations Security Council expressed deep concern yesterday, Saturday, about an imminent attack planned by the Rapid Support Forces and allied factions on the city of El Fasher, where hundreds of thousands live who have fled violence in other areas of Sudan.
The Council expressed concern about escalating tension and military operations around El Fasher in a statement.
The statement called on the army and Rapid Support Forces to halt the deployment of forces and take steps to de-escalate the situation “and commit to their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
Council members reiterated their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities leading to a permanent ceasefire in Sudan.
Meanwhile, Samantha Power, head of the United States Agency for International Development, said that a potential attack by the Rapid Support Forces on El Fasher would exacerbate the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Sudan.
She added via her Twitter account that the attack “will likely lead to atrocities against civilians in Darfur.”
The United Nations had warned on Friday of “grave consequences” for civilians in El Fasher amid indications of an imminent attack by the Rapid Support Forces on the only city still outside their control in the troubled region.
The UN said in a statement that reports indicate the Rapid Support Forces are encircling El Fasher, indicating the possibility of an imminent attack on the city, adding, “The attack on the city will have grave consequences for civilian populations, and this escalation in tension comes in an area already on the brink of famine.”
