An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher and is intended to trap people inside, according to research from Yale University.
From satellite images, the university's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has identified more than 31km (19 miles) of berms - or raised banks - constructed since May in territory outside the city occupied by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
El-Fasher, under siege for more than a year, is the last major foothold in Darfur for Sudan's army, which has been battling the RSF since April 2023.
The Sudan Doctors Network has reported increasing offensives from the RSF, with civilians becoming direct targets.
In a recent attack, shelling in the city center resulted in 24 civilian deaths and numerous injuries, which the medics described as deliberate and heinous.
Yale's analysis indicates that the RSF is creating a "literal kill box" around el-Fasher, complicating access to vital supplies and humanitarian aid. Civilians trapped in the city face continuous bombardment, a lack of food, and dire medical challenges.
The construction of the berm intensifies the siege, and humanitarian organizations have been unable to provide relief for months. The situation poses a significant risk not only to those trapped within its confines but also raises concerns about the potential partitioning of Sudan amidst the ongoing conflict.
As the RSF fortifies its position in el-Fasher, the international community is urged to intervene to protect the civilian population suffering under relentless assaults.
