El-Fasher, Sudan — The city of el-Fasher, under siege for over a year now, is still reeling from the devastating effects of Sudan’s civil war that erupted two years ago. As the ongoing conflict escalates, residents report harrowing experiences of loss and despair.
Hafiza, a 21-year-old, shared the anguish of losing her mother to shelling while selling goods in the market last August. ‘She left no last words. She was dead when she was carried away,’ Hafiza said in a quiet message. With her father deceased prior to the conflict, she is now the caretaker of her five-year-old brother and two teenage sisters.
El-Fasher, currently the last major city controlled by the military in Darfur, has faced continuous bombardments from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Hafiza described the toll of her mother’s death, saying, ‘Grief is very difficult, I still can’t bring myself to visit her workplace.’ In a desperate attempt to support her siblings, she volunteers at shelters, distributing vital supplies to displaced persons, despite her own trauma.
For Mostafa, another resident, the unrelenting shelling and chaos have become a daily reality. ‘We endure relentless artillery shelling, both day and night, by the RSF,’ he expressed in a video he sent. After returning home one day to find it damaged and ransacked, he lamented, ‘Everything was turned upside down. Most houses in our neighborhood have been looted.’
Manahel, a 26-year-old who also volunteered at community kitchens, echoed the struggles. ‘Every family is equal now — there is no rich or poor. People can’t afford the basic necessities like food,’ she said. Their dedicated efforts become more crucial as famine looms over the area, with the UN warning of severe food shortages.
As the RSF continues its assault on el-Fasher, both Mostafa and Manahel stressed the dangers of life under siege. Death can occur unexpectedly from shelling, gunfire, or lack of essentials. ‘Even refugee camps are being bombed with artillery shells,’ Mostafa remarked, underlining the chaotic environment.
Since the conflict began, nearly 2,000 residents in el-Fasher have either been killed or injured, according to UN estimates. And with the rise in violence, fears abound for the safety of vulnerable populations. ‘As a girl, I might get raped,’ Hafiza confided, voicing the dread many in her community face if the RSF gains full control over el-Fasher.
The RSF has been accused of committing ethnic violence in other regions, including el-Geneina, where horrific massacres were reported last year. Despite the alarming statistics, the RSF denies any wrongdoing, stating that allegations against them are unfounded.
Access to safe water has also become a dire issue. Both Mostafa and Manahel have described the unsanitary conditions many face, resorting to contaminated sources. ‘We find it hard to quench our thirst; it is a matter of life or death,’ Manahel said. Reports of humanitarian aid workers being targeted have also escalated, complicating relief efforts further.
In November 2024, recognizing the escalating danger, Hafiza, Mostafa, and Manahel decided to leave el-Fasher in search of safer surroundings. The reality of life in their hometown weighed heavily on them, as Manahel poignantly reflected, ‘El-Fasher has become scary. Will we ever return to el-Fasher? We don’t know what will happen.’
