Sudan army allies dismiss RSF call to leave besieged El Fasher

April 29, 2025 (EL FASHER) – An alliance of armed movements fighting alongside the Sudanese army in El Fasher on Tuesday dismissed a call by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for them to leave the besieged North Darfur capital.

The RSF had called late on Monday for Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers and allied fighters to evacuate, offering safe passage out of the city.

The call followed fierce clashes around El Fasher where the RSF launched a major attack that the army and allied forces said they repelled, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers, according to an army commander.

Mohamed Adam Kosh, a field commander with the Joint Force alliance and head of the Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minawi faction (SLM-MM) in North Darfur, called the RSF offer “a deception” stemming from military failures.

Kosh accused the RSF of trying to lure people out only to attack them, citing alleged past incidents where civilians fleeing towards the town of Tawila were reportedly killed or abused by RSF forces.

He said the RSF calls “are not worth the ink they were written with,” vowing to fight on and declaring El Fasher a base to liberate other areas in Darfur and Kordofan.

“They should surrender, and we will pursue them anywhere,” Kosh was quoted as saying by the local media outlet Sudan Tribune. “El Fasher… will remain defiant against every ‘mercenary and agent’.”

An RSF spokesperson’s statement had urged “all fighters from the Army and Joint Forces elements to evacuate El Fasher safely.”

It pledged good treatment for those surrendering and committing to peace, citing “humanitarian and national principles.”

The statement also affirmed commitment to maintaining safe corridors for civilians wishing to leave voluntarily, claiming thousands had already used them, and pledged protection and aid access.

Previously, a coalition including the RSF, the Sudan Liberation Movement – Transitional Council (SLM-TC) led by El Hadi Idris, and the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF) led  by El Tahir Hajer, facilitated evacuations towards Tawila amid deteriorating security. However, these efforts were marred by reports that RSF elements committed violations including killings, looting, rape and arrests against evacuees, according to rights groups and local sources.