Current Situation in El Fasher, Sudan
Humanitarian Crisis and Military Siege
Last updated: September 2025
Overview
Al Fashir (El Fasher), the capital of North Darfur, Sudan, is currently experiencing a catastrophic humanitarian emergency. The city has been under a tight siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2024, resulting in widespread suffering, famine conditions, and systematic violence against civilians.
Key Points
- El Fasher has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2024
- All major supply routes are blocked, trapping civilians inside
- The RSF has constructed approximately 31 kilometers of earthen barriers around the city
- Famine conditions are widespread with acute malnutrition affecting nearly 40% of children under five
- A cholera outbreak has resulted in over 2,400 deaths since July 2024
Humanitarian Impact
The siege has created one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with civilians facing extreme food shortages, disease outbreaks, and targeted violence.
Many residents have been forced to survive on animal fodder or food waste due to the extreme scarcity of food. Overcrowded displacement camps and limited healthcare access have accelerated the spread of diseases, particularly cholera.
Military Situation
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have maintained a tight siege on the city, constructing extensive earthen barriers to prevent movement in or out of El Fasher. Recent attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure including markets, hospitals, and displacement camps.
An assault on the Abu Shouk displacement camp on August 25, 2025, resulted in 40 civilian deaths and 19 injuries. Reports indicate that 80% of the camp's 190,000 residents have fled to nearby areas like Tawila, though escape remains extremely dangerous.
International Response
The international community has expressed grave concern about the situation in El Fasher:
- 30 donor countries have issued a joint statement condemning the siege
- The UN has called for unimpeded humanitarian access and a humanitarian pause
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has stated there are reasonable grounds to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed
- Humanitarian organizations are struggling to deliver aid due to access restrictions
Despite these calls for action, the RSF has not agreed to safe passage for aid, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
Regional Context
El Fasher is the capital of North Darfur state and a strategically important city in the region. If it falls to RSF control, it would mark the paramilitary's full control over Darfur, potentially leading to the partitioning of Sudan.
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