Why is El Fasher Facing Severe Fighting and Humanitarian Crisis?
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Synopsis
The city of El Fasher is currently grappling with intense fighting, leading to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. As the UN calls for an end to violence, local committees urge urgent international intervention to protect civilians and avert impending famine.
Key Takeaways
- El Fasher is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to ongoing conflicts.
- The UN has called for an immediate end to violence.
- Local committees are urging international intervention to protect civilians.
- Over 260,000 civilians are trapped amid the fighting.
- 134 civilian deaths have been reported in recent days, including children.
El Fasher, Oct 16 (NationPress) - The ongoing hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the western city of El Fasher have significantly worsened the already critical humanitarian and health conditions. The United Nations has issued urgent calls for an immediate cessation of violence in this besieged locale.
Local committees in El Fasher are urging international and regional organizations to act swiftly to safeguard civilians, warning that the persistent fighting could lead to an "imminent famine" and a complete breakdown of healthcare services, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
"Time is running out. Hunger is escalating... The clashes are unceasing, and the crimes are too numerous to tally. Merely discussing hunger has become insufficient — we are now in a phase of slow extinction," stated the Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher in a recent announcement.
"We write, we scream, we plead, yet it seems our voices are echoing into emptiness — there are no aid planes, no humanitarian corridors, and no substantial international efforts to alleviate the siege," the statement added.
The Sudanese government has blamed the RSF for exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in El Fasher by enforcing a blockade and hindering aid deliveries.
"The RSF militia has obstructed the humanitarian response in El Fasher," remarked Acting Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Osman, alleging that the group has seized over 14,600 metric tons of aid destined for the city.
He called upon the international community to act immediately to lift the blockade on civilians, citing UN Security Council resolutions.
Meanwhile, confrontations between the SAF and RSF have escalated.
In a statement, the SAF's sixth Infantry Division reported successfully repelling an incursion attempt by RSF forces into the city on Wednesday. "Our troops were on high alert, neutralized the attacking force, and captured several weapons and equipment," the division stated.
The Mashad Organisation, a human rights monitoring body, has documented 146 civilian fatalities, including 41 children, in El Fasher in recent days, attributing these to targeted shelling of residential areas and executions of those attempting to escape the violence.
The observatory characterized the RSF's actions as "systematic atrocities that constitute war crimes."
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has alerted to dire consequences if the siege persists, highlighting severe food shortages, disease outbreaks, and the near-total breakdown of healthcare services.
"El Fasher, North Darfur, remains under siege," OCHA stated in a post on X on Wednesday. "Over 260,000 civilians — half of them children — are ensnared amid relentless assaults, hunger, and cholera."
The agency called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, asserting, "We require an end to violence and safe humanitarian access."
Violent skirmishes have been prevalent in El Fasher since May 2024, between the SAF and allied forces on one side and the RSF on the other, with recent days witnessing intensified conflict.
The discord between the SAF and RSF, which ignited in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, further compounding the nation's humanitarian plight.
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight the urgent need for international attention and intervention in El Fasher. The ongoing violence not only threatens the lives of countless civilians but also exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis. We must advocate for immediate humanitarian access and support for those affected.
NationPress
16/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the humanitarian crisis in El Fasher?
The humanitarian crisis in El Fasher is primarily caused by escalating conflicts between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to blockades and disruptions in aid delivery.
What actions are local committees taking?
Local committees are calling for urgent international intervention to protect civilians and prevent a looming famine due to the ongoing violence.
How many civilian casualties have been reported?
Recent reports indicate 146 civilian deaths, including 41 children, attributed to targeted shelling and executions amid the conflict.
What is the international community doing?
The international community, including the UN, has issued urgent appeals for an end to violence and has called for safe humanitarian access to El Fasher.
What is the current situation in El Fasher?
El Fasher is currently experiencing intense fighting, severe hunger, and a near-collapse of healthcare services due to the ongoing conflict.
