Renewed clashes in North Darfur capital result in civilian casualties
May 10, 2024 (EL FASHER) – Clashes erupted again on Friday between the Sudanese army, backed by various armed movements, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. The intense fighting, involving a wide range of weaponry, resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries.
A senior commander in the joint forces told Sudan Tribune that their troops launched a surprise attack on RSF positions in Al-Manhal School, Al-Borsa, and the Al-Kahraba neighbourhood. “We inflicted heavy losses on their personnel and military vehicles, forcing them to retreat,” he said.
The attack was initiated after receiving intelligence indicating that the RSF had completed preparations to attack El Fasher from the east, bolstered by thousands of fighters and militias from Arab tribes across Darfur.
In contrast, a field commander from the RSF claimed their forces managed to deliver a significant defeat to the army and its allied armed movements.
By Friday evening, the joint forces reported that the RSF had suffered severe losses in both equipment and personnel.
The joint forces’ statement noted that the battles raged for ten hours, during which they managed to capture several vehicles and forced the RSF to flee.
Eyewitnesses described intense ground clashes in the neighbourhoods of Al-Safa, Al-Jeel, and Factories, where heavy weapons were used, resulting in multiple casualties. Victims were transported to Al-Fasher Southern Hospital.
Residents accused the RSF of bombing populated neighbourhoods in the west of the city, causing significant damage to homes and targeting Al-Fasher Children’s Hospital with artillery shells, prompting patients to flee the facility.
Pro-army social media pages shared videos showing citizens celebrating with army soldiers, displaying three vehicles seized in the day’s battles.
The joint forces, comprising armed movements that signed the Juba Peace Agreement, are responsible for securing large parts of El Fasher. They are currently preparing alongside the Sudanese army to counter a major anticipated RSF attack.
Minawi accuses RSF of scorched-earth tactics
Reacting to renewed clashes in El Fasher, Minni Minawi, head of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and governor of the Darfur region, took to Twitter “X” on Friday to condemn the tactics used by the RSF forces.
Minawi accused the RSF of indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas and burning of public buildings in El Fasher, calling it a “scorched earth policy.”
He claimed victory for the joint forces and other regular agencies, stating they “repelled the RSF attack, destroying several combat vehicles and forcing their retreat.”
Minawi further announced the recapture of key infrastructure, including the Electricity Department, allegedly damaged by the RSF. He criticized the RSF as “not interested in a stable state, but rather agents of chaos and destruction who incite violence.”
El Fasher currently remains the only major city in Darfur not under RSF control. Last year, the RSF gained control of South, Central, East, and West Darfur, occupying army bases within those states.
In April, the RSF tightened their grip on the region by seizing the Mellit area, roughly 56 kilometres north of El Fasher, and controlling the western route connecting North Darfur to Kordofan.
(ST)