A drone strike on a mosque in el-Fasher, located in Sudan’s Darfur region, reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 70 people, according to a senior medical source cited by the BBC. The attack occurred during morning prayers, leading to immediate casualties. While the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been implicated in the strike, it has not claimed responsibility. The RSF has been engaged in an ongoing civil conflict with the Sudanese army for more than two years.
This recent incident comes as the RSF intensifies its offensive in el-Fasher, which has been under siege for over a year. The city is strategically significant as the last military stronghold in Darfur, housing around 300,000 civilians. According to reports, the RSF has made progress in seizing control of areas surrounding the city, including the Abu Shouk displaced persons camp.
Satellite imagery analyzed by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab indicates that RSF forces now occupy a significant portion of the camp and have also entered the headquarters of the Joint Forces, a collection of armed groups allied with the Sudanese army. This headquarters is situated within a former UN compound, which serves as a vital defense point. Footage has confirmed the presence of RSF fighters within this complex.
The current advances of the RSF could place both el-Fasher’s airport and the army division headquarters within their firing range. Analysts suggest that if the RSF were to take full control of el-Fasher, it would secure their dominance in western Sudan and further cement a division within the country, with the army maintaining control of northern and eastern regions.
Concerns have been raised regarding potential repercussions for civilians in the city, particularly from ethnic groups viewed unfavorably by the RSF. A recent UN report highlighted a growing ethnic dimension to the conflict, indicating retaliatory actions between opposing factions. Moreover, there have been documented practices of ethnic cleansing by the RSF against non-Arab communities in the areas under their control, a claim the RSF has denied.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8wzzjze8xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss