FIGHTING has intensified in Sudan’s besieged city of el-Fasher in North Darfur, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed they had captured a government-aligned base, seen as their last stronghold in the western region.

An RSF spokesperson said today that its forces had destroyed “huge military equipment” and “managed to liberate the 6th Division in el-Fasher, breaking the back of the army and its allies by establishing full control over this strategic military base.”

He described the development as a significant turning point and “a step on the path to building a new state that all Sudanese will participate in establishing according to their aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice.”

A video posted by the RSF showed soldiers cheering in front of a sign for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) base.

BBC Verify confirmed the authenticity of footage circulating on social media.

The RSF has besieged el-Fasher for 18 months, fighting the Sudanese army, allied former insurgents, and local fighters.

It has targeted civilians with drone and artillery attacks, while the siege has caused widespread suffering and starvation in the city, where 250,000 people remain under fire.

Last week, the RSF said it was allowing civilians and surrendered fighters to leave, but those who did reported robberies, sexual assaults, and killings by RSF soldiers.

Both sides have been accused of atrocities, with activists warning that RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher could lead to ethnic cleansing, as it was previously reported following the capture of the Zamzam camp in the southern region.

A UN-mandated mission said last month the RSF had committed multiple crimes against humanity, and SAF has also faced accusations.

Satellite imagery in August showed extensive earthen walls being built around the city, trapping civilians.

UN agencies warned this week that thousands of children face imminent death, while UN expert Radhouane Nouicer highlighted intensifying drone attacks by both sides.

RSF strikes on power infrastructure on Tuesday cut electricity across multiple cities and injured six workers, while drone attacks on Khartoum International Airport have postponed its reopening.

Capturing el-Fasher would be a major military and political victory for the RSF, allowing it to consolidate control over Darfur and form a rival government.

Sudan has been ravaged by conflict since 2023, with more than 150,000 people killed and around 12 million displaced.

The army still holds most of the north and east, while the RSF controls nearly all of Darfur and much of Kordofan.