Sudanese Army Repels RSF Attack on El-Fasher as Civilian Casualties Mount

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the Sudanese Army has announced the successful repulsion of an assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El-Fasher, the embattled capital of North Darfur. According to military sources, troops from the 6th Infantry Division, backed by allied units, inflicted significant losses on the RSF in both personnel and equipment. The confrontation marks another escalation in the protracted conflict that has gripped Sudan since April 2023, pushing the country deeper into crisis.
While the military reported gains on the battlefield, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. Medical committees confirmed that eight civilians were killed and several others injured following an intense RSF artillery bombardment on the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons. The emergency room at the camp described the attack as “intense shelling using heavy artillery,” which also led to the destruction of numerous shelters. The RSF has not yet commented on the incident.
El-Fasher remains a critical humanitarian lifeline for Darfur, yet it has been under a relentless RSF siege and near-constant clashes for over a year. International appeals for a ceasefire and unhindered aid access have repeatedly failed to gain traction. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has now claimed over 20,000 lives and displaced 14 million people, though academic research suggests the actual death toll may exceed 130,000. As violence escalates, the suffering of civilians continues unabated, underscoring the urgent need for renewed diplomatic intervention.

About Geraldine Boechat 3249 Articles
Senior Editor for Medafrica Times and former journalist for Swiss National Television. former NGO team leader in Burundi and Somalia