Sudan’s military announced Thursday that it had repelled a major assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the western outskirts of El-Fasher, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 RSF fighters and injuries to dozens more.
In an official statement, the army reported that Wednesday’s assault was met with coordinated resistance from both regular troops and allied local forces. At least 52 RSF members were said to be wounded in the clash. The military also accused the paramilitary group of launching artillery shells into civilian neighborhoods, which reportedly killed five civilians and injured 40 others, including women.
There has been no response from RSF leadership regarding the military’s claims.
El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has become a focal point of the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF since mid-2024. The city, considered vital for humanitarian aid distribution across the Darfur region, has witnessed repeated outbreaks of intense fighting despite international appeals to protect civilians.
Earlier this month, the RSF announced its takeover of the Zamzam refugee camp following fierce battles. The United Nations reports that more than 400 civilians have died and nearly 400,000 people have been displaced due to the violence in and around El-Fasher.
The broader conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s regular army and the powerful paramilitary RSF, has plunged the country into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. According to UN agencies and local monitors, the conflict has forced over 15 million people from their homes and claimed more than 20,000 lives. However, recent research by U.S.-based scholars suggests the real death toll could be as high as 130,000.
As the battle for El-Fasher escalates, concerns continue to grow over the safety of civilians and the future of humanitarian access in the wider Darfur region.