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Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) says it has taken control of the western city of el-Fasher, marking a turning point in the civil war.<\/p>\n
The group said in a statement on social media that it had seized el-Fasher “from the grip of mercenaries and militias allied with the terrorist army”.<\/p>\n
The loss would be a huge blow to the Sudanese army as el-Fasher is its last remaining foothold in the Darfur region, leaving the RSF effectively in control of the area. The army has yet to comment.<\/p>\n
It comes after the rebel group announced the capture of the army’s 6th Division Headquarters, saying that it had destroyed “huge military vehicles” and taken military equipment.<\/p>\n
BBC Verify has confirmed the authenticity of videos circulating on social media that show RSF fighters inside the army base.<\/p>\n
Local pro-army fighters, the Popular Resistance, accused the RSF of running a “media disinformation campaign” to undermine the “high morale of the forces”.<\/p>\n
The RSF has surrounded el-Fasher for the last 18 months, with army positions and civilians under frequent bombardment. An estimated 300,000 people have been trapped by the fighting.<\/p>\n
In August, satellite imagery showed a series of extensive earthen walls being constructed around the city, aimed at trapping people inside<\/a>.<\/p>\n The RSF have been steadily advancing towards the 6th Infantry Division command – widely regarded as the army headquarters in the city – from several directions for weeks.<\/p>\n There are still some parts of el-Fasher under the control of the army and allied armed groups – but those are not expected to hold out for long now.<\/p>\n