Rapid Support Forces Seize El Fasher, Sparking Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly seized El Fasher, the last major city under Sudanese army control in Darfur, following an intense 18-month siege. This critical development, confirmed over the weekend and by Sudanese army statements on Monday, October 27, 2025, marks a significant shift in the ongoing Sudanese civil war, as reported by Xinhua.

The fall of El Fasher has immediately exacerbated an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, leading to widespread famine and alarming reports of civilian massacres on the city's outskirts, according to vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com. The United Nations is urgently calling for safe passage for the hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped within the embattled city.

Sudan's army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, acknowledged the withdrawal of his forces from El Fasher on Monday, October 27, stating the decision was made to spare the city from further destruction. However, al-Burhan, who also chairs Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, vowed to retake the city and other areas under RSF control, as reported by Anadolu Ajansı.

UN officials, including Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher, expressed deep alarm over the escalating violence and the dire conditions facing civilians. Fletcher called for an immediate ceasefire across El Fasher, Darfur, and the entirety of Sudan, emphasizing the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access and protection for aid workers, according to un News.

The RSF, in a statement on Sunday, October 26, declared full control over El Fasher, hailing it as a "pivotal moment" due to its strategic and symbolic importance, Sudan Tribune reported. This victory means the RSF now controls all five state capitals in the Darfur region, consolidating its influence across western Sudan.

The plight of civilians remains a central concern, with hundreds of thousands reportedly trapped, terrified, and facing starvation, as detailed by the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) and Anadolu Ajansı. Escape routes are often cut off, and civilians attempting to flee have faced ransom demands and violence, according to un Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown.

• Background and Historical Context: The Sudanese civil war erupted in April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF originated from the notorious Janjaweed militias, which were accused of committing genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s, a history that fuels current fears of ethnically motivated violence, as noted by The Guardian. The siege of El Fasher, a critical strategic hub, began in May 2024, intensifying the conflict's humanitarian toll, according to wikipedia and The Washington Post.

• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: The RSF aims to consolidate its control over Darfur and potentially establish a parallel administration, as evidenced by its leader Dagalo being sworn in as head of a parallel government in Nyala, The Guardian reported. The SAF, led by General al-Burhan, seeks to reclaim lost territory and maintain national integrity, vowing to fight until the land is "purified," according to al-monitor. The United Nations and various aid organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the ICRC, are primarily focused on civilian protection, securing humanitarian access, and advocating for an immediate ceasefire, as stated by un News and MSF.

• Economic, Social, and Political Implications: The capture of El Fasher by the RSF raises serious concerns about the potential effective partition of Sudan, with the RSF controlling Darfur and the military holding other regions, analysts warned in The Washington Post. This territorial shift could lead to long-term instability, further destruction of infrastructure, and a deepening of the economic crisis, impacting millions who rely on humanitarian aid, according to reliefweb.

• Timeline of Events Leading to the Fall: El Fasher has been under siege since May 2024, with the RSF intensifying its offensive through violent assaults and drone and artillery strikes, as detailed by Anadolu Ajansı and NPR. In October 2025, RSF drone and artillery strikes killed at least 60 people in a displacement shelter, according to The Guardian, highlighting the escalating brutality that preceded the city's fall. The city's strategic importance as a humanitarian operations center made it a key target throughout the conflict, Anadolu Ajansı reported.

• Impact on Different Groups and Communities: Civilians in El Fasher have endured relentless fighting, extreme deprivation of food, medical care, and essentials for survival, according to the ICRC. Reports from the UN Human Rights Office indicate "widespread atrocities," including summary executions and ethnically motivated killings, particularly targeting unarmed men and those trying to flee, as reported by Anadolu Ajansı. Women and girls face particularly horrific violations, including sexual violence and rape as a weapon of war, according to a statement from the UK Foreign Secretary.

• Potential Future Developments and Next Steps: General al-Burhan's vow to retake El Fasher suggests a potential counter-offensive by the SAF, prolonging the conflict. The international community, including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, is calling for an end to external interference that fuels the war and for all countries providing weapons to cease doing so, as reported by un News. Continued diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access will be crucial, as aid agencies have vital supplies ready but are blocked from entry, according to the UN.

• Regulatory and Legal Context: The UN Human Rights Office has received distressing video evidence of summary executions and detentions, with High Commissioner Volker Türk warning of the mounting risk of large-scale, ethnically motivated violations, Anadolu Ajansı reported. UN Security Council Resolution 2736 demands an end to the siege of El Fasher, protection of civilians, and unhindered humanitarian access, obligations that all parties are urged to respect, as highlighted by OCHA. The Sudanese Prime Minister, Kamil Idris, has called for international intervention, describing the RSF's actions as "war crimes and ethnic cleansing," according to Iran Press.