Nine civilians killed in Sudan’s El Fasher shelling, army says attack repelled

March 30, 2025 (EL FASHER) – At least nine civilians were killed and 17 wounded in artillery shelling by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, on Sunday, the Sudanese army said.

El Fasher has seen deadly clashes between the army and RSF since May 2024, displacing most residents. The fighting has killed scores of civilians and caused widespread destruction, damaging infrastructure including hospitals and water sources.

A statement from the army’s 6th Infantry Division command on Sunday said RSF shelling began in the early morning hours.

The statement added that army troops and allied armed movement fighters, making up a Joint Force, repelled an RSF ground assault. Army artillery destroyed about four RSF vehicles and killed dozens of RSF fighters, the statement claimed.

Army warplanes carried out air strikes targeting an RSF supply convoy attempting to enter El Fasher from the southeast, destroying 12 combat vehicles, according to the statement. It added that the strikes prompted RSF groups to pull back west of the city, allowing the army and its allies to advance.

The RSF has tightened its siege on El Fasher in recent months, attempting to capture the Sudanese army’s last major stronghold in the vast Darfur region.