At least 7 killed in renewed fighting in El Fasher, Darfur
January 29, 2025 (EL FASHER) – At least seven people were killed on Wednesday as fierce clashes erupted again between the Sudanese army and its allies against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
The city has been plagued by deadly fighting between the warring factions since May, leading to the displacement of most residents. Dozens of civilians have been killed, and infrastructure, including healthcare facilities and water sources, has been devastated.
Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, spokesperson for the joint forces in El Fasher, said in a statement that the RSF “targeted civilian gatherings in El Fasher with heavy artillery, shelling the Abu Shouk camp for displaced people, which led to the death of seven people and injured more than 12.”
He added that “the army, the joint force, and all supporting forces repelled a failed attempt by the RSF to penetrate the city after they launched a fierce attack from the eastern axis.”
Mustafa said the army neutralized a significant number of RSF fighters and destroyed military vehicles. He urged the international community to pressure countries supplying the RSF with weapons and mercenaries, who he blamed for the deaths of dozens of civilians. He also called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1519, which prohibits the sale and supply of arms to Darfur.
Eyewitnesses reported intense battles between the warring parties in the Al-Salam neighbourhoods south of El Fasher, east of the city’s main market, and in the Al-Azma neighbourhood. The army and its allies reportedly repelled the attack, forcing the RSF to retreat towards the El Fasher Children’s Hospital and the stock exchange in the east of the city.
Before the clashes, the RSF launched a barrage of artillery shells towards various areas of El Fasher, targeting the livestock market, Al-Thawra neighbourhoods in the south, the Sixth Infantry Division headquarters, and the Abu Shouk camp for displaced people.
The army’s air force actively participated in the battles, carrying out airstrikes against moving RSF targets in the east, south, and west of El Fasher.