...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...ese army, backed by various armed movements, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. The intense fighting, involving a wide range of weaponry, resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries.
A senior commander in the joint forces told Sudan Tribune that their troops launched a surprise attack on RSF positions in al-Manhal School, al-Borsa, and the al-Kahraba neighbourhood. "We inflicted heavy losses on their personnel and military vehicles, forcing them to retreat," he said.
The attack was initiated after receiving intelligence indicating that the RSF had completed preparations to attack El Fasher from the east, bolstered by thousands of fighters and militias from Arab tribes across Darfur.
In contrast, a field commander from the RSF claimed their forces managed to deliver a significant defeat to the army and its allied armed movements.
By Friday evening, the joint forces reported that the RSF had suffered severe losses in both equipment and personnel.
The joint forces’ statement noted that the battles raged for ten hours, during which they managed to capture several vehicles and forced the RSF to flee.
Eyewitnesses described intense ground festivities in the neighbourhoods of al-Safa, al-Jeel, and Factories, where heavy weapons were used, resulting in multiple casualties. Victims were transported to al-Fasher Southern Hospital.
Residents accused the RSF of bombing populated neighbourhoods in the west of the city, causing significant damage to homes and targeting al-Fasher Children’s Hospital with artillery shells, prompting patients to flee the facility.
Pro-army social media pages shared videos showing citizens celebrating with army soldiers, displaying three vehicles seized in the day’s battles.