Fierce clashes erupted once again in El Fasher, North Darfur, on Sunday between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as the paramilitary group launched attacks on villages in Kutum locality. The violence has intensified over the past two weeks as the RSF attempts to gain control of key areas, causing significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement. Meanwhile, the cholera outbreak in Sudan’s eastern Gederaf state worsens, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis. The conflict, which has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, continues to strain healthcare systems.
In El Fasher, artillery exchanges and direct confrontations marked the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict. Residents reported heavy bombardment in the southeastern parts of the city, while the Sudanese army conducted airstrikes targeting RSF positions. The RSF, which has been using scorched-earth tactics, has targeted Zaghawa-dominated villages in the Kutum region, burning over 45 villages and forcing thousands to flee. Residents described the situation as dire, with extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and a rising toll on human life.
The RSF also launched attacks on several villages in the Kutum locality on Saturday night, killing at least four people and injuring more than ten. Amrai and Boya villages were particularly hard hit, with homes set on fire, livestock stolen, and locals forced to flee into nearby forests. The violence in these villages is part of the RSF’s broader strategy to destabilize the region, which has been marked by an increase in displacement and destruction since mid-October.
The Sixth Infantry Division of the Sudanese army reported advancing in the southeastern region, claiming to have taken several RSF positions and inflicted heavy casualties on the paramilitary forces. However, the situation remains volatile, with both sides suffering losses as the battle for control of the region intensifies.
On the humanitarian front, Sudan’s health system is under severe strain. Hospitals in the capital Khartoum have treated over 33,000 war-related injuries, and more than 22,000 surgeries have been performed to remove bullets. Despite the overwhelming demands, 31 out of 54 hospitals in Khartoum state remain operational, though many health facilities in conflict zones are either out of service or severely disrupted. The health ministry has been working to restore services, but funding challenges persist, particularly in areas retaken from the RSF.
A recent study from the Sudan Research Group estimates that 61,000 people have been killed in Khartoum since the conflict began in April, with violence directly causing 26,000 of these deaths. The outbreak of cholera in Sudan’s eastern Gederaf state has worsened the crisis, as health authorities reported 63 new cases and six deaths in Al Faw locality. The outbreak, which began in August, has now infected over 34,000 people and claimed nearly 1,000 lives.
In addition to the challenges posed by violence, the conflict has caused widespread displacement. The International Organization for Migration reports that over 343,000 people have fled Al Jazirah state due to attacks by the RSF, with 44% of them seeking refuge in Gederaf. The health ministry has launched a cholera vaccination campaign to combat the outbreak, but the ongoing conflict and displacement continue to hinder relief efforts.
As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, both the Sudanese army and the RSF show no signs of halting their violent confrontations. The international community faces a growing challenge in addressing the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict, with many areas remaining cut off from critical aid and medical services.