Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur in Sudan, has fallen on October 26th to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after an 18-month siege. This marks a significant turning point in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023. The city was the last major stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Darfur. The RSF’s capture of Al-Fashir consolidates their control over all five state capitals in Darfur, effectively partitioning the region and deepening the crisis. On October 25th, the City of Bara in north Kordofan fell under RSF again after it was under SAF control in the last couple of months.
Reports of horrific mass killings and war crimes emerging from both cities. Local monitors reported dozens of civilians killed in Bara, north Kordofan upon RSF control of the city. “I lost all my cousins and uncles in Bara, we have no relatives left there, RSF killed them all.” Said a woman from the city. In Alfashir, videos of mass shootings of civilians running out of the city flooded social media. Local response groups reported the death of volunteers who were working in community kitchens in the city. Hundreds of people are missing, dozens injured. Some people who fled Alfashir arrived in Tawila last few hours reported ethnic targeted killings and prevention of civilians from leaving the city. Local doctors network reported the death of at least 9 women in Bara, dozens of women were killed in Alfashir, no accurate numbers reported due to the communication shutdown.
The siege on Alfashir and subsequent takeover were characterized by intense ground battles, forced starvation, and relentless shelling. The SAF withdrew from the city, citing the need to protect civilians from further destruction. However, reports from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations indicate that the RSF’s advance has led to widespread atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings, mass displacement, and summary executions of civilians trying to flee.
The fall of Al-Fashir has intensified Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, with civilians facing starvation, violence, and displacement. The international community continues to call for urgent action, but the situation remains catastrophic, especially for women, children and vulnerable populations. The fall of Bara is marking new advancement of RSF in Kordofan, in addition to other areas recently controlled by RSF in this region. The recent drone attacks in south Kordofan and Khartoum among other states is marking new phase of the conflict in Sudan. Urgent actions must be taken to prepare for further expansion of the conflict. Humanitarian responses to the crisis must get ready for the worse in the coming few weeks and months. Despite urgent calls for action, humanitarian access remains severely restricted, and funding for aid efforts is critically insufficient. Only a quarter of the $4.2 billion requested in the 2025 UN Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan has been funded. Women, girls and children are the most impacted by this conflict, suffering from famine, and horrific atrocities.
We call the international community to push for:
- Immediate Ceasefire: To allow safe passage for civilians and humanitarian workers.
- Unimpeded Humanitarian Access: Lifesaving supplies are ready but cannot reach those in need due to ongoing fighting and blockades.
- Protection of Civilians: All parties are urged to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians, especially women and children.
