Clashes reignite in El-Fasher, Killing 11 Civilians
June 1, 2024 (EL-FASHER) – Fierce clashes erupted again in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, on Saturday, June 1st, as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), allied armed groups, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified. The renewed violence resulted in the deaths of approximately 11 civilians and left dozens injured.
El-Fasher, the historical capital of the Darfur region, has been a battleground since May 10th, witnessing fierce clashes between the SAF, backed by allied militias, and the RSF. The ongoing conflict has inflicted a heavy toll on civilians, causing numerous casualties and displacing thousands from their homes.
A fragile calm had recently settled over the city as direct confrontations between the warring factions subsided, except for heavy artillery shelling by the RSF on populated areas. However, this was shattered on Saturday by heavy artillery shelling of residential areas by the RSF and airstrikes by SAF warplanes on various locations in the region.
Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that “bloody clashes” reignited between the RSF and the joint forces’ forward positions in the southern and eastern parts of El-Fasher, involving a wide array of weaponry.
Mubarak Suleiman, a volunteer, informed Sudan Tribune about casualties and injuries caused by RSF artillery fire on neighbourhoods surrounding the 6th Infantry Division headquarters. He noted significant damage to homes in the “Birinja” and “Al-Wahda” neighbourhoods. Suleiman also highlighted the ongoing mass exodus of residents from El-Fasher towards the localities of Tawila, Al-Kuma, Kutum, and other areas.
A medical source revealed to Sudan Tribune that Sayed Al-Shuhada Medical Center, recently reopened through community efforts, received approximately 11 bodies and 42 injured individuals due to RSF shelling.
RSF-affiliated social media platforms claimed their forces had taken control of the “Al-Wahda” neighbourhood south of El-Fasher. However, a field commander from the joint forces contradicted this, stating that their forces, in collaboration with the SAF and Popular Resistance forces, had successfully repelled the RSF attack and inflicted heavy losses.
The commander further asserted that they had repulsed the largest RSF mobilization and pursued them to the eastern outskirts of El-Fasher.