The civil war in Sudan has forced residents of El-Fasher, Darfur, to seek refuge underground amid relentless shelling by the RSF. With tens of thousands reportedly dead, the Army struggles to maintain control of the city, facing significant humanitarian crises, including impending famine and restricted access to aid. The situation remains critical with ongoing military strategies conflicting with rising human costs.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, particularly in the besieged city of El-Fasher in Darfur, has forced many residents to seek refuge underground. Nafisa Malik, a mother of five, describes her desperate situation as she attempts to shield her children in a cramped hiding spot while enduring relentless shelling. Over the past two years, the conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan’s Army has resulted in significant casualties, with tens of thousands of lives lost.
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, has recently faced brutal shelling, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including a child, following an intense eight-day bombardment. Despite the Army reclaiming territory in Khartoum, the RSF has focused its attacks on El-Fasher, which remains strategically significant as the last major city under Army control in Darfur. The city’s historical importance as the seat of the Darfur sultanate adds to its strategic relevance amidst ongoing conflicts over gold resources.
Residents have built makeshift shelters in the form of bunkers and foxholes to protect themselves from the dangers of artillery and drone strikes. Mohammed Ibrahim illustrates this struggle, explaining how he transformed his yard into a hidden refuge for his family. Despite RSF’s siege severing supply lines, the Army and allied groups maintain control, with ongoing satellite surveillance documenting destruction and damage in the region.
Medical professionals at the Saudi Hospital have had to adapt by creating an underground operating room, conducting surgeries under precarious conditions. Historical and strategic circumstances have led to the involvement of significant local figures from the Zaghawa ethnic group, as they perceive the RSF advance as an existential threat. The increasing tension further complicates the Army’s position in holding El-Fasher or risking a substantial shift in the power balance.
The dire humanitarian situation is exacerbated by reports of famine in displacement camps surrounding El-Fasher, signaling an impending crisis as aid efforts have been severely hampered. Local shop owners like Ahmed Suleiman lament the challenges of bringing in goods as the situation grows increasingly dire, and Leni Kinzli from the World Food Programme warns of catastrophic fallout if aid is not restored.
In summary, the besieged city of El-Fasher is emblematic of the humanitarian toll inflicted by the ongoing civil war in Sudan. While schools and hospitals are repurposed into makeshift shelters and operating rooms, the RSF’s siege continues to strangle the supply of essential resources. With famine looming and the local population in distress, the precarious balance between military control and the dire humanitarian needs presents a complex challenge for all parties involved.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
