• Sudan's army has withdrawn from El-Fasher to prevent further civilian casualties amidst RSF control.
• UN and humanitarian groups warn of potential atrocities and ethnic cleansing by RSF in the region.
• Yale's report suggests evidence of mass killings in El-Fasher following the RSF's takeover.
• Over 250,000 civilians, including many children, are currently trapped in the city with limited access to aid.
• The conflict has escalated since April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and displacements.

Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced the military’s withdrawal from El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, stating it was necessary to protect civilians from “systematic destruction and killings” by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This withdrawal follows the RSF's takeover of the main army base in El-Fasher, raising fears of escalating violence and humanitarian disaster in a city already besieged for over a year and a half, according to Al Jazeera, Anadolu Agency, and BBC.

Following the withdrawal, the RSF is now in control of El-Fasher, a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict that erupted in April 2023. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over reports of atrocities and human rights violations being committed by the RSF, urging the international community to intervene. Furthermore, the UN has identified numerous civilians experiencing horrors such as starvation and lack of medical care, as heavy fighting continues in the region, as reported by Africa News and BBC.

Recent findings by Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab indicate incidents of mass killings in El-Fasher, alleging a systematic campaign of "ethnic cleansing" against non-Arab communities, specifically targeting the Fur, Zaghawa, and Berti groups. The report presents satellite imagery purportedly showing evidence of mass graves and casualties caused by RSF actions during the siege, suggesting these acts may constitute war crimes or even genocide, according to Al Jazeera and Africa News.

As the RSF solidifies its grip on El-Fasher, humanitarian organizations are alarmed about the plight of over 250,000 civilians trapped in the city. Limited access to essential resources has led to dire conditions, with aid workers struggling to deliver necessary supplies amidst ongoing violence. Witnesses report chaotic scenes, including armed attacks on civilians and hospitals, as the situation in El-Fasher rapidly deteriorates, as indicated by Al Jazeera, Anadolu Agency, and Africa News.