ALBAWABA - A Sudanese pro-democracy lawyers committee said on Tuesday that at least 25 people have been killed during heavy clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the North Darfur town of El-Fasher.
The lawyers' committee has been documenting days of "arbitrary shelling and air strikes,", causing great suffering between the residents of the city and its surrounding areas, as the war in Sudan enters its second year.
El-Fasher also serves as the primary humanitarian hub in the vast western area of Darfur, which is home to almost a quarter of Sudan's 48 million residents and has been the site of horrific crimes and massacres in previous conflicts.
Eyewitnesses living in the neighboring Abu Shouk displacement camp reported seeing hundreds flee to the city on Tuesday after hostilities reached its gates.
United Nations and the United States warned that the breakdown of the fragile peace in El-Fasher, the final Darfur state capital not under RSF control, would be disastrous for hundreds of thousands who are already suffering from a humanitarian crisis.
Over the last year, Darfur residents and the UN have stated that displacement camps have been routinely besieged and attacked by fighters. Darfur's already poor health infrastructure has practically collapsed. According to the UN, 70% of the country's health institutions are out of service.
"Dozens of injured have arrived at the hospital today. We're suffering a severe shortage in blood and medical personnel," a medical source at El-Fasher Southern Hospital told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal from the warring parties, who are known to target medics.
Over the last year, Darfur residents and the UN have stated that displacement camps have been routinely besieged and attacked by fighters. Darfur's already poor health infrastructure has practically collapsed. According to the UN, 70% of the country's health institutions are out of service.
Since the war started on April 15, 2023, the UN reported that tens of thousands of Sudanese people have been killed at the hands of both warring parties including up to 15,000 in a single West Darfur town.
It has also displaced more than 8.5 million people from their homes. Many people have been removed from their refuge places for the second or third time in Darfur, which is already devastated by conflict.
