El Fasher Residents Face Strict Travel Restrictions Until Further Notice

Sudan’s El-Fasher Under Siege for 18 Months, Civilians Suffered Severe Hardships

A prolonged siege in Sudan’s western city of el-Fasher has left thousands dead and many more trapped under the control of paramilitary forces. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) surrounded the city, cutting off food supplies and escape routes, resulting in a devastating humanitarian crisis.

According to reports, civilians attempted to flee the city when it fell in October, but were met with violence. Survivors have described being shot on the roads out of the city, with bodies left behind. Human rights groups have expressed concerns that the RSF’s campaign in Darfur appears systematic, raising questions about potential ethnic cleansing.

Satellite imagery has revealed an earth barrier encircling el-Fasher, further restricting movement. An investigation by Fault Lines, Lighthouse Reports, and the Sudan War Monitor has gathered evidence through survivor testimony and visual documentation. The findings aim to reconstruct the siege and investigate allegations of mass killings, disappearances, and other abuses.

The investigation is part of a broader effort to shed light on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The Sudanese government has been accused of various human rights abuses during the conflict. The situation in el-Fasher remains dire, with many civilians still trapped under siege.

Source: Al Jazeera