Fighting resumes in El Fasher, weapons convoy intercepted

January 5, 2025 (EL FASHER) – Fighting resumed between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher on Sunday after a lull of several weeks, while a force allied to the army said it intercepted weapons destined for the RSF.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that “the army and joint force repelled a new attack launched by the RSF on two fronts, the first from the east of the city, and the second from the southeast.”

Witnesses said that both sides used heavy weapons, and the army’s air force participated heavily in the battles, carrying out numerous airstrikes on RSF positions in the eastern part of the city. Loud explosions were heard, and plumes of smoke were seen rising.

Over the past three weeks, direct confrontations between the warring parties in El Fasher had decreased. Still, the RSF continued to bombard civilian and military sites in the city with heavy artillery and drones, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties.

In a separate development, a joint force of the army and allied armed groups said it had intercepted a convoy carrying weapons, ammunition and other supplies to the RSF in the border triangle between Sudan, Chad and Libya.

The force said it had arrested some individuals close to the RSF leadership and monitored the border area to prevent further smuggling.

It released a video showing the intercepted convoy, which included Sudanese and Libyan nationals.

The joint force has deployed large numbers of troops to the border areas with Libya in recent months. It previously intercepted a convoy accompanied by Colombian mercenaries.

Fighting in El Fasher had subsided in recent weeks, but the RSF continued to bombard the city with artillery and drones, causing civilian casualties.