Nine killed in shelling of North Darfur capital

November 11, 2024 (EL FASHER) – At least nine people were killed on Monday when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled residential areas of El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, witnesses said.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and its allies against the RSF and its allied militias has recently intensified in El Fasher, the historical capital of the Darfur region. The clashes, involving a wide range of weapons, have forced dozens of civilians to flee.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that at least nine people were killed and dozens wounded in the shelling of the Awlad al-Reef neighbourhood.

The RSF also continued to target populated areas in the south and southeast of the city, as well as western and northern neighbourhoods, causing casualties and widespread damage to homes, the witnesses said.

The Sudanese Air Force carried out air strikes on suspected RSF positions in the east of the city and around the main market.

RSF fighters managed to breach army defences east of El Fasher and advance near the main market. However, a senior commander in the joint forces told Sudan Tribune that their troops had repelled the RSF attacks and forced them to retreat.

The RSF has not commented on the fighting in El Fasher.

The Sudanese armed forces members released a video showing them inspecting the main market in El Fasher, which has been out of service for more than a month due to the fighting. The video showed that some shops had been looted. Shelling has also destroyed dozens of shops and banks in the market.

In the south of the city, the RSF continued to target the livestock market, the only one operating in the city centre, injuring several civilians. The market has been repeatedly targeted by RSF shelling.