Sudan: RSF shelling in El Fasher kills 9 civilians, wounds 17

At least nine civilians have been killed and 17 wounded following artillery shelling by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, on Sunday, according to a statement released by the Sudanese army on Monday March 31.

The violence is part of the ongoing clashes between the army and RSF, which have been raging in El Fasher since May 2024. These deadly confrontations have caused widespread devastation, displacing most of the city’s residents. Civilian casualties have been mounting, with critical infrastructure, including hospitals and water sources, also being severely damaged.

The army’s 6th Infantry Division reported that the RSF launched artillery attacks early on Sunday morning. In response, army troops, supported by allied armed movements in a Joint Force, successfully repelled an RSF ground assault. The Sudanese army claims to have destroyed four RSF vehicles and killed dozens of RSF fighters. Additionally, air strikes carried out by army warplanes targeted an RSF supply convoy attempting to enter the city from the southeast, destroying 12 combat vehicles. This prompted RSF forces to retreat west of El Fasher, allowing the army and its allies to make advances. The RSF has been intensifying its siege on El Fasher, aiming to capture the Sudanese army’s last significant stronghold in Darfur.