Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has announced the withdrawal of his troops from el-Fasher, the last remaining military base in Darfur, after the city was captured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The decision comes amid warnings from the United Nations about a worsening humanitarian crisis and rising violence in the region.
The announcement was made on Monday, a day after the RSF seized control of the main army headquarters in el-Fasher. The city had been one of the few remaining areas resisting the RSF since the war began in April 2023.
General al-Burhan said the withdrawal was made to protect civilians, accusing the RSF of committing “systemic destruction and killing.” He stated that the army pulled back to avoid more bloodshed and vowed to hold those responsible for atrocities accountable.
More than 250,000 civilians, including thousands of children, are now trapped in el-Fasher. Aid organizations report that hospitals have been attacked, civilians detained, and homes destroyed amid the continuing violence.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the developments a “terrible escalation,” warning that the humanitarian situation in Sudan has reached unbearable levels. The UN Human Rights Office also confirmed receiving reports of summary executions and targeted ethnic killings.
Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, warned that the risk of large-scale atrocities in el-Fasher is increasing daily. Sudanese medical organizations described the assault as catastrophic, with the Sudan Doctors Union calling it a “brutal killing field.” The group urged the international community to declare the RSF a terrorist organization, accusing it of trying to terrorize and destroy civilians.
According to UN data, more than 26,000 residents have fled the city toward nearby towns already struggling to support displaced families.
The RSF, which evolved from the Janjaweed militia responsible for atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s, has been accused of severe human rights abuses. The ongoing war between the RSF and the Sudanese army has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced nearly 12 million people since it began in April 2023.
The International Criminal Court has launched investigations into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to RSF actions. Analysts say the fall of el-Fasher marks a critical moment in Sudan’s 18-month conflict, signaling deeper divisions and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
International aid agencies are now calling for immediate access to civilians and urgent efforts to stop the violence before more lives are lost.
