The Sudanese army announced on Thursday that it had killed 60 militants from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during clashes in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. The military said the fighting erupted west of the city on Wednesday as RSF fighters launched a violent assault, which was repelled by the army and allied groups.
The army added that 52 RSF members were wounded in the confrontation. Meanwhile, RSF artillery shelling reportedly killed five civilians and injured 40 others, including women, during the attack. The RSF has not commented on the military’s statement.
El-Fasher has been a flashpoint of ongoing violence between the army and the RSF since May 2024, drawing international concern due to its role as a key hub for humanitarian operations across Darfur. Earlier this month, the RSF claimed it had taken control of the Zamzam refugee camp in the city. The United Nations reported that at least 400 civilians have been killed in the area, with nearly 400,000 displaced.
The wider conflict between the RSF and the army, which began in April 2023, has plunged Sudan into one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. The UN estimates that over 20,000 people have died and 15 million displaced. However, research by U.S. scholars suggests the death toll may be as high as 130,000.
