In El-Fasher, Darfur, residents are seeking refuge underground due to ongoing violent conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s Army. Families construct makeshift shelters as the situation worsens. The UN has declared famine conditions in surrounding camps, and humanitarian aid remains critically low, raising alarms about potential catastrophic outcomes. The conflict poses a significant threat to stability in the region.
In the besieged city of El-Fasher, Darfur, residents are seeking refuge underground as civil conflict rages on. Nafisa Malik, a mother of five, recounted how she tries to protect her children in a cramped hiding place under constant artillery fire. Over the past two years, the ongoing violence between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan’s Army has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labeling it a crisis of immense severity.
The recent shelling of El-Obeid by paramilitary forces has led to civilian casualties, emphasizing the persistent danger in the region. Despite the Army regaining some control in Khartoum, the RSF has intensified its attempts to capture El-Fasher, currently the only major city in Darfur under Army control. Local residents respond by constructing makeshift bunkers and shelters for protection against ongoing attacks.
Mohammed Ibrahim explains his drastic measures to ensure his family’s safety by digging a well-concealed hole in his yard. Yet, despite the Army’s hold on most of El-Fasher, they face fierce battles against the RSF. Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab has documented significant structural damage throughout the city, which further highlights the alarming humanitarian situation as the RSF’s artillery and aerial bombardments continue to devastate residential areas.
Medical staff at the Saudi Hospital have resorted to using an underground shelter for operations during assaults. This underscores the desperation of health services as El-Fasher, once a center of regional power, teeters on the brink of collapse. If the RSF were to capture the city, it could severely impact the socio-political dynamics of the area.
The Zaghawa ethnic group, integral to military resistance in El-Fasher, has allied with Army forces amid fears of potential retaliation from the RSF. The situation presents a strategic dilemma for the Army and its supporters, grappling with the high human costs of maintaining control or the risks of relinquishing a critical stronghold.
The UN has declared famine conditions in displacement camps surrounding El-Fasher, with warnings of imminent famine in additional regions. Humanitarian assistance is critically low as agencies suspend operations due to increasing conflict. Ahmed Suleiman, a local shop owner, shares that access to supplies has become extremely precarious due to corruption and roadblocks. Ongoing assistance cuts threaten to exacerbate the crisis, as warned by Leni Kinzli of the World Food Programme.
The situation in El-Fasher, Darfur, remains extremely dire as residents seek refuge underground amidst relentless conflict. With ongoing hostilities between the RSF and the Army, humanitarian aid is critically low, and famine looms large. The Zaghawa community’s strategic involvement highlights the complex socio-political dynamics at play. As the conflict continues, the risks of severe humanitarian consequences increase, urging immediate international attention and support.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
