UN Warns of Possible Ethnically Driven Violence in Sudan’s El-Fasher

The United Nations has raised serious concerns over potential ethnically targeted attacks in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, where paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have killed at least 91 people in the past month.

The violence erupted amid intensified clashes between the RSF and Sudan’s army around el-Fasher, the largest city in Darfur still under military and Joint Forces control. The UN has called for urgent intervention to prevent further atrocities.

“Daraja Oula neighborhood has faced repeated artillery shelling, drone strikes, and ground incursions,” UN rights chief Volker Turk said. “These attacks could escalate into large-scale, ethnically driven atrocities if action is not taken.”

El-Fasher has been under siege by the RSF for over a year, with the offensive intensifying since March when the army regained control of Khartoum. Around 260,000 civilians remain trapped, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed, with staple items now far exceeding typical incomes.

Recent attacks include a deadly drone strike on al-Safiyah Mosque during dawn prayers last month, killing at least 78 people. Satellite analysis suggests RSF suicide drones were used in the attack.

Civilians attempting to flee the city face life-threatening conditions as the RSF has nearly surrounded el-Fasher, including a 68-kilometer perimeter berm. Reports indicate arbitrary killings and severe restrictions on essential supplies.

Humanitarian experts warn that without immediate measures, the situation could worsen, emphasizing the urgent need for safe corridors, protection of civilians, and respect for international law.