Sudan’s RSF Says It Captured al-Fashir Army Headquarters

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Sunday that they had captured the army headquarters in the city of al-Fashir, the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in the Darfur region of western Sudan.

A video posted by the RSF showed its soldiers celebrating in front of a sign for the army’s Sixth Infantry base. While Reuters was able to verify the location, it could not confirm the date. The army has not yet released a statement regarding its current position.

The capture of al-Fashir would represent a significant political victory for the RSF, potentially accelerating a division within the country by enabling the paramilitary group to consolidate its control over the vast Darfur region, which it has claimed as the base for a parallel government established earlier this summer.

However, some activists have long warned that an RSF takeover would likely lead to ethnic violence, similar to what occurred after their capture of the Zamzam camp to the south.

The RSF had besieged al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state, for the past 18 months while fighting against the army and allied former rebels and local fighters. The group has targeted civilians in frequent drone and artillery strikes, exacerbating the starvation of the 250,000 people still remaining in the western part of the city.

Reuters was unable to reach residents of al-Fashir, who depend on Starlink terminals for internet access due to a prolonged telecom blackout.

Last week, the RSF claimed it was facilitating the evacuation of civilians and surrendered fighters from al-Fashir; however, those who have managed to leave reported incidents of robbery, sexual assault, and killings by RSF soldiers along the routes.

A U.N.-mandated mission reported last month that the RSF had committed multiple crimes against humanity during the siege of al-Fashir, while the army has also faced accusations of war crimes.

The Popular Resistance, a group of local fighters allied with the army, stated they were continuing to combat the RSF and that the takeover of the army base did not signify an overall takeover of the city.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023, after the two forces, which had previously shared power, fell out over plans to integrate their forces in a transition to democracy.

The fighting has displaced millions, plunged half of Sudan into hunger, and spread disease throughout the nation.

Over the weekend, the United States held discussions with Emirati, Egyptian, and Saudi Arabian officials regarding a potential peace plan. Sudan’s foreign ministry reported that officials were in Washington for bilateral talks; however, the army-led Sovereign Council denied reports of indirect talks between representatives of both sides.