US warn Sudan’s El Fasher could fall to rebels imminently | BBC News

Summary

The 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

00:00

🚨 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.

05:00

🌍 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.

Keywords

💡US Special Envoy

The US Special Envoy is a diplomatic representative appointed by the United States to engage with a specific country or issue. In the video, Tom Perello, the US Special Envoy to Sudan, warns about the dire situation in the city of Al Fashah, highlighting the role of this position in monitoring and addressing international crises.

💡Al Fashah

Al Fashah is the city mentioned in the script that is under siege and at risk of falling to paramilitary forces. It represents the last stronghold of the Sudanese Army in the Darfur region, signifying the critical nature of the conflict in this area.

💡Civil War

A Civil War refers to a violent conflict between opposing groups within the same country. The script describes Sudan as being in the midst of a devastating Civil War that began 14 months prior, emphasizing the scale and impact of the internal conflict.

💡Paramilitary Forces

Paramilitary forces are organizations that function similarly to a country's armed forces but are not part of the official military. In the script, these forces are intensifying the conflict in Al Fashah, contributing to the escalating violence.

💡UNICEF

UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund, which works to protect the rights and well-being of children globally. The script mentions UNICEF receiving reports of children killed and injured in Al Fashah, underscoring the organization's role in documenting and responding to the humanitarian crisis.

💡Ethnic Conflict

An ethnic conflict arises from disputes between different ethnic groups, often leading to violence. The script suggests that the conflict in Sudan is taking an ethnic dimension, particularly affecting the Zaghawa ethnic group, indicating a shift from political to ethnic tensions.

💡Displacement

Displacement refers to the forced movement of people from their homes due to violence or persecution. The script notes that nearly 9 million people have been displaced by the conflict in Sudan, illustrating the widespread impact on civilian populations.

💡Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

The RSF is a paramilitary organization in Sudan, mentioned in the script as closing in on Al Fashah and suspected of committing atrocities. Their actions are central to the escalating conflict and potential fall of the city.

💡Atrocities

Atrocities are acts of extreme violence or wickedness, often involving crimes against humanity. The script refers to past atrocities committed by the RSF in El Geneina, signaling a pattern of extreme violence that raises concerns for Al Fashah's future.

💡Humanitarian Crisis

A humanitarian crisis is a situation where basic human needs, such as food, water, and healthcare, are inadequately met, often due to conflict or disaster. The script describes the lack of prenatal care and basic nourishment for pregnant women in Al Fashah, exemplifying the severity of the crisis.

💡Ceasefire

A ceasefire is an agreement between warring parties to stop fighting for a specified time. The script mentions the need for a local ceasefire in Al Fashah, indicating the urgency for peaceful resolution to prevent further suffering.

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