RSF claims capture of Sudanese army headquarters in Al-Fashir

On Sunday, the Rapid Support Forces announced they had seized the Sudanese army’s main headquarters in Al-Fashir, capturing the military’s last major stronghold in Sudan’s Darfur region.

Footage shared by the RSF appeared to show its fighters celebrating in front of signage identifying the army’s Sixth Infantry Division base. Reuters confirmed the authenticity of the location but was unable to verify when the video was recorded. The Sudanese army has not yet issued any statement regarding the claim.

According to the Sudan Tribune, an RSF spokesperson said the paramilitary group had “managed to liberate the 6th Division in El Fasher, breaking the back of the army and its allies by establishing full control over this strategic military base.” He described the development as a significant turning point and “a step on the path to building a new state that all Sudanese will participate in establishing according to their aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice.”

If confirmed, the capture of Al-Fashir would mark a significant political and strategic victory for the RSF. Such a development could hasten the de facto partition of Sudan, allowing the paramilitary group to consolidate its dominance across the Darfur region and strengthen its parallel administration, which it formally announced in April this year.

Al-Fashir has been under siege for several months, leaving its residents trapped in dire humanitarian conditions. The city has faced relentless attacks that have destroyed infrastructure, displaced thousands, and cut off essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and humanitarian operations have been severely disrupted. Aid agencies have struggled to deliver relief due to insecurity and road blockades, creating one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the region. The prolonged siege has pushed the population to the brink of starvation and disease.

The RSF has been accused of committing widespread war crimes during the siege. Reports from international observers and human rights organizations have documented cases of indiscriminate shelling, looting, and targeted attacks on civilian areas. In response to these allegations, the RSF has been placed under international sanctions.