El-Fasher: The Sudanese army announced that its forces have killed 60 militants from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan. The army reported that the fatalities occurred following a repelled attack by RSF forces west of the city on Wednesday, which also resulted in 52 injuries among the militants.
According to Anadolu Agency, the statement from the army also revealed that five civilians lost their lives, and 40 others were injured, including women, due to RSF artillery shelling in the city on Wednesday. El-Fasher has been a hotspot for deadly clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF since May 2024, despite warnings from the international community regarding the dangers of continued fighting in the city, which is a critical hub for humanitarian operations across the five Darfur states.
Earlier in the month, the RSF claimed control over the Zamzam refugee camp in the city after engaging in clashes with army forces. The fighting has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 400 civilians and the displacement of nearly 400,000 individuals, as per UN figures.
In a separate incident, the Sudan Doctors' Network, a civilian medical organization, reported that 74 people were killed and 178 others injured in attacks by RSF forces in Al-Za'afah village, located in West Kordofan State in southern Sudan. Among the victims were nine women and 12 children.
The RSF has not yet commented on these statements. Last June, the paramilitary group captured El-Fula, the capital of West Kordofan, though they were unable to gain control over key cities like En-Nahud and Babanusa, which remain under the Sudanese army's control.
Since April 15, 2023, the RSF has been engaged in a battle against the Sudanese army forces for control of the country. This conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and has been described as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Over 20,000 people have been killed, and 15 million others displaced, according to the UN and local authorities. However, research from US scholars estimates the death toll to be around 130,000.