The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced the capture of the Sudanese army’s headquarters in the city of el-Fasher, the last major government-held area in the troubled Darfur region.
In a statement shared on social media, the RSF claimed it had destroyed “huge military vehicles” and seized vital equipment at the 6th Division Headquarters, the main command post for government forces in the area. The group’s declaration marks a significant shift in the balance of power in Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
According to BBC Verify, videos circulating online showing RSF fighters inside the army compound have been authenticated, adding credibility to the group’s claims. The Sudanese army has yet to issue an official response.
El-Fasher, a city long besieged by the RSF, has been under intense bombardment for nearly 18 months. The siege has left an estimated 300,000 civilians trapped, struggling to survive amid continuous shelling and severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water.
Satellite imagery from August revealed the construction of extensive earthen barriers around the city believed to have been erected to contain civilians and restrict movement. Despite fierce resistance from the army and allied militias, RSF forces have made steady territorial gains, converging on the 6th Infantry Division from multiple fronts in recent weeks.
The fall of the el-Fasher base represents a devastating blow to Sudan’s military, which now risks losing its final foothold in Darfur. While pockets of army and allied control remain, analysts suggest these positions are unlikely to withstand RSF pressure for long.
The capture of el-Fasher’s military headquarters underscores the growing dominance of the RSF and signals a potential humanitarian disaster, as the conflict continues to displace and endanger millions across Sudan.
