Fears of mass killings and humanitarian catastrophe are growing in Sudan after thousands of civilians were reported trapped in a city recently overrun by a powerful militia group amid the country’s deepening civil conflict.
According to local sources and aid agencies, armed fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have taken control of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, following days of intense fighting with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The takeover has left residents surrounded with little access to food, water, or medical care.
“Civilians are trapped with nowhere to go,” said Ahmed Adam, a local activist coordinating relief efforts. “The city has become a death zone people are hiding in their homes as gunfire and shelling continue.”
Witnesses say dozens of bodies have been seen in the streets, while hospitals have been forced to shut down due to lack of electricity, supplies, and staff. The Doctors Without Borders (MSF) office in Sudan described the situation as “catastrophic,” warning that the death toll could rise rapidly if humanitarian corridors are not established.
“Thousands are in immediate danger,” MSF said in a statement. “Both warring parties must guarantee safe passage for civilians and medical teams.”
The United Nations also expressed alarm on Tuesday, saying that nearly 500,000 people could be at risk if the fighting continues unchecked. UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths called the situation “a potential massacre in the making,” urging international intervention.
“We are witnessing a repeat of the horrors of Darfur,” Griffiths warned. “The world cannot afford to look away as another city descends into bloodshed.”
The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), has been locked in a brutal power struggle with the Sudanese military since April 2023, following a failed attempt to transition to civilian rule. The conflict has since displaced millions and plunged the country into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Satellite images reviewed by independent analysts show widespread destruction across El Fasher, including burnt homes, damaged markets, and collapsed infrastructure. Residents report that communication networks have been cut, making it nearly impossible to contact loved ones or coordinate evacuations.
Regional mediators, including the African Union and IGAD, have renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians, but both sides have ignored previous truce agreements.
As fighting rages, humanitarian organizations warn that without swift international pressure and access to trapped populations, El Fasher could become another symbol of Sudan’s descent into chaos.