The fall of El Fasher, Darfur's final major urban stronghold, has unleashed a wave of brutal violence against civilians that witnesses describe as systematic slaughter. As Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters swept through the city, residents report finding neighbours executed in their homes, with many killed while sleeping.
A City Descended into Chaos
Eyewitness accounts paint a picture of utter lawlessness following the city's capture. "They were going house to house, killing people in their beds," one survivor recounted, their voice trembling with trauma. "We found whole families who never stood a chance."
The streets of El Fasher now resemble a ghost town punctuated by violence. Those who remain describe living in constant fear, with RSF fighters establishing checkpoints and conducting door-to-door raids. The few medical facilities still operating are overwhelmed with casualties, many suffering from gunshot wounds at close range.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds
The collapse of El Fasher has triggered a massive displacement crisis, with thousands fleeing towards already overwhelmed camps. Those who cannot escape face desperate conditions:
- Critical shortages of food and clean water
- Medical supplies nearly exhausted
- Communications largely severed from the outside world
- No functioning civilian protection mechanisms
International aid organisations report being completely unable to operate within the city, leaving civilians without even basic assistance.
Systematic Violence and War Crimes
Multiple sources indicate the violence follows a clear pattern of ethnic targeting, with particular brutality directed towards Masalit communities. "This isn't random violence," explained one humanitarian worker who recently escaped. "They have lists, they know where people live, and they're executing a plan."
The situation represents the worst fears of international observers realised. El Fasher was the last remaining barrier against total RSF control of Darfur, and its fall appears to have unleashed the very atrocities the world had hoped to prevent.
International Community Paralysed
Despite mounting evidence of war crimes, the global response remains fragmented and ineffective. Diplomatic efforts have stalled, while humanitarian access remains blocked. The United Nations Security Council continues to debate responses as the death toll rises hourly.
For the civilians trapped in El Fasher, international diplomacy feels distant and abstract. "We are alone here," said one resident via a rare satellite connection. "The world knows what is happening, but nobody comes to help us."
