A sustained bombardment by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the deaths of at least 55 civilians in El Fasher, North Darfur, military officials revealed on Tuesday April 22.
Over a two-day period, dozens more were left injured as residential areas and displacement camps came under heavy artillery fire. Shells have been reported to have struck homes and streets indiscriminately, with women and children among the victims. On Monday alone, around 250 shells were said to have been launched, causing widespread devastation.
Access to medical treatment has become almost non-existent in the besieged city, where the few surviving health facilities have either been destroyed or forced to close. With conventional supplies exhausted, injured civilians have been observed treating wounds with salt and torn fabric in place of proper bandages. Water, food, and medicine are in dangerously short supply, and the dire conditions have been worsened by the RSF’s capture of the nearby Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons earlier this month.
According to statements made by the Sudanese army’s 6th Infantry Division, the recent escalation was prompted by retaliatory motives following RSF losses. Military engagements in the vicinity have reportedly been numerous, with over 200 clashes cited and claims made of captured RSF personnel disclosing plans to seize control of El Fasher. As the city remains encircled and vital infrastructure continues to be targeted, the civilian population faces increasing peril under ongoing bombardment and siege.