Sudan’s army has lost control of the key city of el-Fasher, its final stronghold in western Darfur, after an 18-month siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fall of the city marks a pivotal moment in Sudan’s civil war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people since April 2023.

In a televised address, army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan confirmed the withdrawal, saying the army had agreed with local leaders to leave in order to: "protect the remaining citizens and the rest of the city from destruction."

The RSF had earlier declared full control of el-Fasher, giving it command over all five state capitals in Darfur.

The United Nations (UN) raised alarm over reports of mass killings and ethnically motivated violence, warning of an escalation in atrocities by RSF and allied forces. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was: "gravely concerned" by the situation and condemned the: "violations of international humanitarian law." The UN Human Rights Office added that accountability for crimes in el-Fasher is: "key to preventing further atrocities."

The RSF denies targeting civilians, but aid groups describe a dire humanitarian crisis, with widespread hunger, disease, and devastation following the prolonged siege. In his speech, Burhan accused the international community of ignoring the crisis and vowed to fight on, declaring: "We can turn the tables every time, and we can return every land desecrated by these traitors to the nation’s fold."