Sudanese army claims victory over RSF in El Fasher

September 19, 2024  (EL FASHER) – The Sudanese army said it repelled a major attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of El Fasher on Thursday, inflicting heavy losses.

Army spokesman Nabil Abdallah said in a statement late Thursday that the Sudanese Armed Forces, along with allied forces and volunteers, had achieved a “decisive victory” against the RSF, forcing them to retreat and leaving behind “dozens of vehicles and hundreds of their fallen comrades.”

A separate statement from the joint force spokesman, Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, also claimed victory, saying the RSF had been forced to retreat after suffering heavy losses.

The RSF has intensified its attacks on El Fasher in recent weeks, defying international calls for a ceasefire. The latest assault came just a day after U.S. President Joe Biden urged both sides to halt fighting in the besieged city.

Witnesses reported heavy shelling and airstrikes throughout Thursday, with clashes concentrated in the south-eastern Al-Wahda neighbourhood. The fighting caused civilian casualties and damage to homes.

The army’s air force carried out a series of airstrikes targeting Rapid Support Forces’ positions in the southeastern part of El Fasher city, followed by powerful explosions and rising columns of smoke.

The RSF also attempted a ground assault in the afternoon but were repelled by the army and allied forces.

The RSF has not yet commented on the army’s claims.

The fighting in El Fasher is part of a broader conflict between the army and the RSF that erupted in April. The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced millions more.