Newly acquired satellite images indicate the construction of a significant earthen wall aimed at encircling el-Fasher, a city in Sudan that is currently under siege. The wall, according to the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, has expanded to span over 31 kilometers since May, raising alarm over the humanitarian crisis facing its inhabitants.
el-Fasher stands as the last major stronghold for Sudanese armed forces in Darfur amidst sustained conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began in April 2023. The RSF has reportedly intensified attacks targeting civilians, with recent incidents claiming numerous lives from shellings in residential areas.
Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan from the Sudan Doctors Network emphasized the severity of the situation, describing a recent shelling incident in the city center that resulted in nearly 24 civilian casualties and injuries to over 55 individuals, including women. This onslaught is further compounded by attacks on medical establishments, exacerbating the plight for residents.
The RSF has been charged with creating a perilous environment for civilians trapped within el-Fasher, limiting their ability to escape and reaching out for essential aid. Despite RSF denials of targeting civilians, local sources assert that ethnic minorities have been particularly vulnerable amid the violence.
The ongoing construction of the earthen barriers has encoded a tighter grip on the city, with observers warning that the fall of el-Fasher could signify a potential partitioning of the nation, as continued fighting between factions escalates. As the RSF fortifies its position, local civilians grapple with the reality of starvation, incessant bombardment, and limited avenues for escape.
With the international community underlining the need for urgent humanitarian action, calls to the UN Security Council have mounted to provide protection for the beleaguered civilian population of el-Fasher, which has languished under conflict for over a year.
