Seven killed in El Fasher market shelling as army repels attack
April 16, 2025 (EL FASHER) – At least seven people were killed and others injured on Wednesday in fresh artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that hit a market in El Fasher, while the army and its allies repelled an RSF attack on the North Darfur capital.
The situation in the historic capital of the Darfur region is escalating militarily after the RSF tightened its siege on the city from all directions, mobilising thousands of fighters planning to invade.
Local sources told Sudan Tribune that “at least seven people were killed and about nine others injured in artillery shelling by the RSF on the livestock market south of El Fasher.”
The livestock market in the southern part of El Fasher, the main market for remaining civilians, has been repeatedly targeted by RSF artillery, resulting in dozens of civilian deaths and the destruction of numerous shops.
Military sources also said the army and allied armed movements repelled an RSF attack in the city’s eastern part. They reported fierce battles between the two sides along the same axis, involving all types of weapons.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Khamis Douda, spokesman for the Zamzam camp for displaced people, called for an immediate halt to the clashes to rescue thousands stranded on the road between the Zamzam camp and the town of Tawila.
On April 12, the RSF overran the camp, located about 12 kilometres south of El Fasher, committing abuses against displaced people, including killing, looting, rape, and arrests, according to reports.
Douda said in a statement received by Sudan Tribune that thousands of displaced people fleeing Zamzam camp remain stranded in conflict areas southwest of El Fasher, in the villages of Shaqra, Golo, Dabba Nayra, and Salomat, extending towards the Tawila area.
He stated that those stranded are suffering from severe thirst and hunger due to the lack of food, calling for volunteers and humanitarian teams to be allowed access to deliver drinking water and food supplies to save their lives.