Sudan on Brink: Fears of Massacre as RSF Seizes Al-Fashir, 70,000 Civilians Flee

Khartoum (The Uttam Hindu): The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has taken a terrifying turn as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly seized control of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, raising serious concerns of an impending massacre and ethnic violence. According to United Nations and local aid groups, more than 70,000 civilians have fled the city in recent days as fighting between RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) intensified.

Al-Fashir, one of the last major strongholds still under Sudanese army control in Darfur, has now become a battlefield, with reports of heavy shelling, gunfire, and airstrikes. Witnesses say the city’s infrastructure has collapsed — hospitals are overwhelmed, food supplies are running out, and communication lines have been cut in several districts.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the RSF’s advance could trigger “mass atrocities” against ethnic non-Arab communities in the region, particularly the Zaghawa and Fur tribes, who have historically been targeted in Darfur’s long-running conflict.

“Civilians are trapped between warring factions, with no safe passage out of the city. The situation in Al-Fashir is deteriorating rapidly and could turn catastrophic if violence continues,” a UN spokesperson said.

Aid agencies are struggling to deliver relief due to blockades and insecurity, while thousands of displaced families are sheltering in open areas without food, water, or medical care. The UN estimates that over 9 million people across Sudan have been displaced since the civil war erupted in April 2023, making it one of the world’s largest displacement crises.

International observers have called for urgent diplomatic intervention, warning that Sudan could be on the brink of another genocide reminiscent of the Darfur atrocities two decades ago. Despite global appeals, ceasefire talks between RSF and SAF remain stalled.

Human rights groups are now urging the African Union, the United Nations, and regional powers to take immediate action to prevent further civilian casualties and ensure humanitarian access.