US warn Sudan’s El Fasher could fall to rebels imminently | BBC News
Summary
TLDRThe US Special Envoy to Sudan warns of an imminent fall of the city of Al Fashah amid escalating conflict between Sudan's Army and paramilitary forces. The country's ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023, has led to over 15,000 deaths and 9 million displaced. Al Fashah, the last Army stronghold in Darfur, faces humanitarian crises with children caught in the crossfire. There are fears of ethnic targeting and atrocities similar to those in El Geneina, where thousands of predominantly Muslim black communities were killed. International efforts for peace talks are urged as the conflict threatens to partition Sudan.
Takeaways
- ⚠️ The US Special Envoy to Sudan has warned that the fall of the besieged city of Alfasa could be imminent.
- 🛡️ Fighting between Sudan's Army and paramilitary forces has intensified, with hundreds of graves discovered.
- 💔 Sudan is in the midst of a devastating civil war that began 14 months ago, with over 15,000 people killed and nearly 9 million displaced.
- 🏙️ Alfasa is the only city under Army control in the Darfur region, and its fall could have severe repercussions.
- 🚸 UNICEF reports that at least six children have been killed and many more injured in Alfasa since June 7th.
- 🏃 Thousands of children, including those in displacement camps, are trapped by the fighting and unable to seek safety.
- 💣 The conflict is increasingly taking on an ethnic dimension, with villages of the Zagawa community being targeted and raised.
- 💉 Medical facilities in Alfasa are struggling, with only the most severe cases being treated due to limited resources.
- 🏥 A key hospital in Alfasa was looted and attacked by RSF forces, shutting it down and worsening the medical crisis.
- 🔍 The US Special Envoy emphasizes the need for peace talks, noting the international community's failure to address the conflict adequately.
Q & A
What warning has the US Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perello, given regarding the city of Al Fasha?
-Tom Perello has warned that the fall of the besieged city of Al Fasha could be imminent due to intensifying fighting between Sudan's Army and paramilitary forces.
What is the current situation in Al Fasha according to the BBC interview?
-The situation in Al Fasha is described as horrific, with fighting escalating over the past month, hundreds of graves discovered, and the city being the last stronghold for the Army in the Darfur region.
How has the conflict in Sudan affected the civilian population since it began in April 2023?
-The conflict has resulted in an estimated 15,000 people killed and nearly 9 million people forced to flee their homes.
What reports have UNICEF received regarding children in Al Fasha?
-UNICEF has received alarming reports that at least six children have been killed and many more injured in Al Fasha since June 7th.
Why is there concern about the potential fall of Al Fasha to the RSF (Rapid Support Forces)?
-There is concern that the fall of Al Fasha could lead to further atrocities, similar to what was witnessed in El Geneina where an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people, predominantly from the ethnic black communities, were killed.
What is the current state of healthcare facilities in Al Fasha?
-Healthcare facilities in Al Fasha are under severe strain, with only the most severe cases being attended to, and there is an urgent need for replenishment of supplies and emergency medicines.
What is the impact of the conflict on the ethnic communities in Al Fasha?
-The conflict is increasingly taking an ethnic dimension, with evidence of ethnic targeting by the Rapid Support Forces, particularly against the predominantly black Zagawa community.
What challenges are faced by healthcare workers and volunteers in Al Fasha?
-Healthcare workers and volunteers are facing difficulties due to limited resources, the need for emergency medicines, and the constant threat of violence as they try to save lives.
What is the current state of the South hospital in Al Fasha?
-The South hospital was stormed by RSF fighters who opened fire and looted it, forcing staff and patients to escape, and leaving the facility shut down.
What is the US Special Envoy's position on the potential partition of Sudan by the RSF?
-The US Special Envoy has warned that if the RSF takes over Al Fasha and completes control of the Darfur region, leading to a potential partition of Sudan, the US will not recognize such a partition.
What is the international community's role in addressing the conflict in Sudan?
-The international community, including the US, has been accused of not paying enough attention to the conflict in Sudan and is being urged to push for peace talks and prevent further escalation of violence.
Outlines
🚨 Urgent Warning on Sudan's Al Fasha City Crisis
US Special Envoy Tom Perello alerts to the dire situation in Al Fasha, Sudan, where escalating conflict between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary forces has led to a humanitarian crisis. The city, under siege and the last Army stronghold in the Darfur region, is at risk of imminent fall. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in over 15,000 deaths and displaced nearly 9 million people. Alarming reports from UNICEF indicate child casualties, and the fighting has trapped thousands, including children in displacement camps. The situation is further complicated by ethnic targeting, with satellite images showing destruction primarily in areas inhabited by the Zaghawa community, an ethnic black group. The fear is that the political fallout between generals is transforming into an ethnic conflict, with potential atrocities similar to those in El Geneina, where thousands were killed.
🌍 International Response and Humanitarian Impact in Sudan
The international community, including the US, is deeply concerned about the potential fall of Al Fasha to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which could lead to the partition of Sudan. Over a million Sudanese are trapped in Al Fasha, with dwindling resources and vanishing safe spaces. The US Special Envoy acknowledges the international community's failure to address the Sudanese conflict with the urgency it requires, comparing it unfavorably to the attention given to other global conflicts. The humanitarian situation is dire, with 45,000 pregnant women lacking prenatal care and basic nourishment. The envoy calls for peace talks, but the Sudanese Army has been reluctant, setting conditions for negotiations that are difficult to meet. The conflict, initially political, is now taking on ethnic dimensions, with the Zaghawa community being forced to align with the national Army. Civilians continue to suffer, and there is an urgent need for a ceasefire and negotiations to prevent further bloodshed and displacement.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡US Special Envoy
💡Al Fashah
💡Civil War
💡Paramilitary Forces
💡UNICEF
💡Ethnic Conflict
💡Displacement
💡Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
💡Atrocities
💡Humanitarian Crisis
💡Ceasefire
Highlights
The fall of the besieged city of Alfasa could be imminent according to the US Special Envoy to Sudan.
The situation in Alfasa has been described as horrific, with intensified fighting between Sudan's Army and paramilitary forces.
Hundreds of graves have been discovered amidst the ongoing Civil War that started in April 2023.
More than 15,000 people have been killed and almost 9 million have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict began.
Alfasa is the last city under Army control in the entire Darfur region.
UNICEF reports that at least six children have been killed and many more injured in Alfasa since June 7th.
Thousands of children are trapped in large displacement camps amidst the increased fighting.
The Sudan Armed Forces are struggling to replenish their troops in the region.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are closing in on Alfasa, aiming to take the city from the Army.
The conflict in Darfur is increasingly taking on an ethnic dimension, with atrocities being committed against specific ethnic communities.
Satellite images show that villages inhabited by the Zagawa community in Alfasa have been raised between May and early June.
This war, initially a political fallout between two generals, is now descending into ethnic conflict.
Arson activity has spiked in Alfasa, with at least eight villages raised, targeting the Zagawa ethnic group.
The RSF's ethnic targeting in Alfasa has resulted in severe injuries and casualties among civilians.
Medical facilities in Alfasa are severely strained, only able to attend to the most severe cases.
The South hospital in Alfasa was stormed and looted by RSF fighters, forcing its closure.
The humanitarian situation in Alfasa is dire, with a significant need for a local ceasefire to alleviate civilian suffering.
The US Special Envoy warns that the RSF's control of Darfur could lead to the partition of Sudan.
More than a million Sudanese are trapped in Alfasa, facing dwindling resources and limited safe places.
The conflict has left thousands dead, millions displaced, and nearly a third of the country facing food shortages.
The US and international community are accused of not paying enough attention to the Sudan conflict.
The conflict in Sudan can be resolved through negotiations rather than more war, as stated by the US Special Envoy.
Ethnic tensions in Darfur have escalated, with the Zagawa community being forced to take sides in the conflict.
The ongoing conflict continues to inflict severe suffering on Sudanese civilians, with no end in sight.
Transcripts
the US Special Envoy to Sudan has warned
that the fall of the besieged city of
alfasa could be imminent in a BBC
interview Tom perello described the
situation as horrific fighting between
Sudan's Army and the paramilitary forces
has been intensifying there over the
past month and hundreds of graves have
been discovered the country is in the
midst of a devastating Civil War that
began 14 months ago across the country
more than 15,000 people are estimated to
have been killed since the conflict
started in April 2023 while almost 9
million have been forced to flee their
homes Al fascia is the only city still
under Army control in the entire darul
region and there have been repeated
warnings about the situation there this
is the UN colleagues at UNICEF have
received heroing reports that at least
six children have been killed and many
more injured in the city since the 7th
of June thousands of children including
those living in large displacement camps
are trapped in the middle of the
increased fighting and are not able to
safety well our senior Africa
correspondent an soy is in Nairobi
incredibly difficult to get access to
DAR four and so what have you been able
to find
out that's right incredibly difficult
for anyone on the outside to get in
there but also for the one of the Waring
parties the uh Sudan Armed Forces uh we
understand that it has been difficult
for them to uh replenish their troops
there uh and the Rival paramilitary unit
uh the rsf has been closing in um it is
intent on taking uh the city from the
Army as you said it's the last remaining
stronghold for the Army in darur and
there are real fears that it could fall
imminently but the reifications of that
is what most people are worried about
and that's really because of the
atrocities that were witnessed last year
uh in another city to the west of alasha
el Janina where an estimated 10 to
15,000 people were killed uh
predominantly the muslate uh ethnic
black communities there uh so the big
worry is that this conflict is
increasingly taking an ethnic Dimension
and there are satellite images that have
been uh analyzed that have shown that
Villages where there's a gawa community
in alasha which is a black community
predominantly inhabit uh have been
raised uh between the end of May and
early uh this month and that is really a
big worry this war that was essentially
a political Fallout between two generals
are descending into an ethnic conflict
in that region and this is what we found
out from
alasha this is now the daily reality in
alasar the latest front line in Sudan's
yearlong war no one is safe here anymore
there has been a spike in arson activity
at least eight villages have been raised
the homes of mainly the zagawa ethnic
group evidence investigators say of
ethnic targeting by the rapid support
forces this mother and her family
survived recent shelling she doesn't
know if the blood on her toddler's face
is his his siblings or fathers they are
injured and are receiving emergency
treatment at the S shaba Health Center
one of the last facilities still
running the Medics here are stretched
they only attend to the most severe
cases so volunteers from the community
have come together to support
them from our own efforts and the
efforts of well wishers we managed to
get some emergency medicines from some
contributors those who could not provide
medicines gave us money to buy the drugs
from the
market they are constantly changing
things here expanding or repairing the
facility as The crucial work of saving
lives could continues so uh we managed
to continue our activities but uh of
course with lots of difficulties and
also we'll need uh replenishment very
very soon so some Supply to arrive if
not it will be very complicated to
continue the activities indeed there was
another setback last weekend this is
what was left of the South hospital
after rsf Fighters stormed in open fire
and looted it on Saturday staff and
patients escaped
now the referral facility which saw 1300
wounded patients in the past month has
been shut and there are fears things
could get worse should the city fall we
need this to end uh we are working
towards a local ceasefire as many are we
need cooler heads to Prevail uh and get
this particular battle paused while we
also don't take our eye off of other
parts of Sudan it is Sudan civilians who
bear the biggest brunt in this war a
conflict described by some as senseless
the result of a political Fallout
between two generals which has left
thousands dead Millions displaced and
nearly a third of the country facing
food shortages and soy BBC
News and I'm is still with us now from
Nairobi and you've also been speaking to
the US Special Envoy and he's very
worried that Dar for could fall pretty
quickly to the
rsf that is right and he has warned that
if the rsf thinks that once it if it
takes over Al fasha and completes its
control of the Dau region that it could
partition Sudan uh he sent a very strong
warning from the US that it will not
recognize uh that uh and therefore that
is the situation really for people more
than a million uh Sudanese trapped in
alasha trying to flee uh from the city
um every day their resources are doing
windling uh the safe places are running
out um and you know he was talking about
45,000 pregnant women as well who are
caught in the middle of this uh crisis
with no uh form of prenatal care or even
just basic nourishment to ensure that uh
they have healthy pregnancies so the
situation the humanitarian situation on
the ground uh is really dire and the the
worry is should alasha fall it could
only get worse
so the Ambassador calling for peace
talks but the US accused for taking
their time in pushing for those talks
and not paying enough attention to the
conflict in
Sudan Tom perello did admit that yes the
International Community has failed Sudan
uh it has not paid as much attention to
the conflict there uh as is being paid
to other conflicts he did mention the
Gaza conflict uh for instance uh this is
a conflict that preceded uh the October
7th attacks and he said that you know
there's much more that the International
Community can do for Sudan push the
Waring sides to to come together to the
negotiating table there has been notable
and unwillingness particularly from the
Army side uh it has uh set conditions uh
for it to take part in talks uh many of
those conditions uh have been difficult
to meet uh before they can come together
and really uh Tom perello is saying this
is should this the solution to this
conflict um is not more war it's it's
really something that can be sorted out
uh through talks because at the core of
it is a political issue uh but now
because of the situation in daur it is
taking a completely different dimension
as stalking ethnic uh um tensions the
zagawa community that has been displaced
in alasha for instance had wanted to
stay neutral in this conflict when it
broke out last year it did not want to
take sides but now it has been
inevitably sucked in and been forced to
take the side of the national Army and
you know it's only the civilians who end
up suffering as a result and thank you
very much an soy in Nairobi
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