The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced the capture of the Sudanese army’s main headquarters in the war-torn city of El-Fasher, a major development that could reshape the course of Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
In a statement shared on social media, the RSF claimed it had seized control of the army’s 6th Division Command Centre, destroying several military vehicles and confiscating large quantities of weapons and equipment.
Videos circulating online — verified by BBC Verify — show RSF fighters inside the compound, confirming the group’s presence at the base.
A Major Blow to Government Forces
The fall of El-Fasher’s army headquarters marks a devastating loss for Sudan’s military, as the city had served as its last major stronghold in the Darfur region. With this defeat, the RSF now effectively controls most of Darfur. The Sudanese army has not yet issued an official response.
For the past 18 months, the RSF has laid siege to El-Fasher, subjecting both army positions and civilians to relentless bombardment. Roughly 300,000 residents have been trapped in the city under dire humanitarian conditions.
Satellite images released in August revealed that earthen barriers had been built around the city — apparently to restrict movement and contain those inside.
The RSF’s offensive had been intensifying for weeks, with fighters advancing from multiple directions toward the 6th Division base. While small pockets of resistance remain in the city, analysts believe they are unlikely to hold out much longer.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As El-Fasher’s defenses crumble, hunger, disease, and displacement have spread rapidly. Food and medical supplies are nearly exhausted, leaving civilians caught between the crossfire and starvation.
International investigators have accused the RSF of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during its campaign in Darfur. The United States has gone further, accusing the group of carrying out acts of genocide against non-Arab communities in the region.
Sudan’s War at a Breaking Point
Sudan’s civil war erupted in 2023, after relations collapsed between the leaders of the RSF and the national army, plunging the country into chaos. Since then, over 150,000 people have been killed and around 12 million displaced, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today.
The army continues to control most of northern and eastern Sudan, but El-Fasher was its last major city in Darfur. Now, with the RSF tightening its grip, the balance of power has shifted dramatically.
The RSF already controls most of Darfur and neighboring Kordofan, and reports suggest that its leaders intend to establish a rival government once full control of El-Fasher is secured.
As one international observer put it: “If El-Fasher falls completely, Sudan’s war may enter a new and even more dangerous phase.”