Sudanese Seek Underground Refuge in El-Fasher Amid Ongoing Civil War

Nafisa Malik and her children are among those seeking underground refuge in El-Fasher, Sudan, as the civil war between the RSF and Sudan’s Army results in widespread violence and displacement. The UN has classified the situation as a humanitarian crisis of staggering brutality, with dire food shortages expected soon. El-Fasher’s control is strategically critical, and the precarious conditions continue to worsen amidst ongoing shelling and humanitarian aid restrictions.

In the besieged Sudanese city of El-Fasher, Nafisa Malik, a mother of five, finds herself in a cramped underground refuge as a civil war rages on. She expresses the fear and uncertainty of her situation, stating, “Time slows down here. We sit in the darkness, listening, trying to guess when it’s over.” The ongoing conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan’s Army has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres describes the situation as a crisis of “staggering scale and brutality.”
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, faced a deadly shelling incident recently, highlighting the violence present across the region. El-Fasher stands as the only major city in Darfur that remains under Army control, making it a critical area targeted by the RSF. Residents have taken desperate measures for safety, constructing makeshift bunkers as artillery strikes grow more frequent. Mohammed Ibrahim, reflecting on the need for protection, states, “We lost neighbors. The children were terrified.”
Despite the RSF’s siege, the Army retains control over the majority of El-Fasher. Research from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab reveals extensive damage from both aerial bombardments and ground attacks in the city. Medical facilities are struggling, with doctors at the Saudi Hospital using an underground shelter for operations, illuminating the dangers they face. El-Fasher holds significant historical and strategic importance, as its control is linked to the vital gold resources sustaining the RSF financially.
Insights from the African Union and Sudanese analysts suggest that the city’s capture is pivotal; El-Fasher’s fall could lead to widespread repercussions. Forces from the Zaghawa ethnic group have joined the defense of the city, viewing its loss as an existential threat due to potential reprisal attacks from the RSF. The situation is fraught with tension, as holding the city presents grave hardships, while relinquishing control could alter the war’s trajectory.
A UN assessment revealed famine impacts three displacement camps around El-Fasher, with projections indicating wider spread soon. Humanitarian aid is nearly nonexistent, compounded by the RSF’s assaults on surrounding communities. Shop owners like Ahmed Suleiman recount the difficulties of accessing supplies under the current conditions. Leni Kinzli, from the World Food Programme, warns of crucial consequences as aid diminishes, stating, “If aid continues to be cut off, the fallout will be catastrophic.”

The ongoing conflict in El-Fasher underscores the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, with families seeking refuge underground amidst relentless attacks. The strategic importance of the city in the larger context of the conflict places immense pressure on both the Army and the RSF. As famine looms and humanitarian aid is severely restricted, the plight of the civilians trapped in this war continues to escalate, raising urgent calls for international intervention and support.

Original Source: www.thehindu.com