RSF captures El-Fasher as Darfur Descends into New Humanitarian Crisis

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has taken full control of the city of El Fasher in North Darfur, marking a major turning point in Sudan’s conflict and triggering mounting international alarm over mass abuses against civilians. On 27-28 October 2025, reports emerged that the city—under siege for over 17 months—fell after the army’s withdrawal, and was followed by multiple, credible allegations of summary executions and systematic killings. The United Nations Human Rights Office disclosed it was receiving “appalling reports” of summary executions, house-by-house raids, and ethnic-targeted violence by the RSF in the aftermath of the takeover. Analysts from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab used satellite imagery to identify what appeared to be bodies on the ground and large areas of blood-stained earth—indicators of mass killings occurring in neighbourhoods of El Fasher. Strategically, El Fasher’s capture gives the RSF dominance over all five Darfur state capitals, effectively splitting Sudan into zones of power between the RSF in the west and the regular army elsewhere. According to Reuters, the fall of El Fasher could cement the de facto division of the country and free RSF forces for operations outside Darfur. Humanitarian conditions in the city were already dire before the takeover: prolonged siege, blockade of aid, and heavy fighting had displaced hundreds of thousands. With communication blackouts and restricted access for aid workers following the takeover, the risk of famine, mass displacement and unverified deaths is acute. The UN and regional states have called for immediate access, safe corridors, and cease-fire implementation. The international community is now under pressure to act. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey condemned the “horrific violations” in El Fasher and urged the RSF to allow humanitarian access and protect civilians. The RSF has not publicly addressed these accusations.With the war in Sudan entering what many describe as a new phase of territorial partition and escalating atrocity risk, the capture of El Fasher will likely be seen as a defining moment in the crisis.