Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in western Sudan, witnessed a resurgence of intense clashes between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces yesterday.
The conflict, now entering its second year, has escalated, with the United Nations reporting severe civilian casualties in the eastern parts of the city. According to official sources, 27 people have died, and 130 others have been injured as a result of the heavy fighting.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan, expressed deep concern over reports of heavy weaponry being used in densely populated areas.
“Civilians have been caught in the crossfire, trying to escape the violent clashes, resulting in significant casualties,” she stated. Many of the wounded have been rushed to the local hospital, while others find themselves trapped amidst ongoing battles.
Residents reported to Agence France-Presse that military aircraft bombed the eastern and northern sectors of the city.
A medical source from South Al Fasher Hospital reported that the morgue was overwhelmed with bodies. Additionally, the city is experiencing a near-total communication blackout, severely impacting healthcare workers, humanitarian agencies, and human rights organizations, making it difficult for them to communicate externally except on rare occasions.
The use of heavy weapons and the conducting of attacks in populated areas are causing a high number of casualties, Nkweta-Salami emphasized in a statement. She highlighted the grave danger these acts of violence pose to the lives of over 800,000 residents of Al Fasher.
The situation remains dire, as the city grapples with ongoing violence and the humanitarian crises it precipitates, reflecting the broader instability that continues to challenge Sudan’s path to peace.
