FazTimes Media, KHARTOUM, Oct 25 — The brutal civil war in Sudan has intensified sharply, with fierce clashes erupting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key western cities. Heavy fighting was reported in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and in Bara, located in North Kordofan, as the RSF launched coordinated assaults on Saturday morning.

Locals described the situation as "catastrophic," characterized by heavy gunfire, air attacks, and extensive damage, leaving civilians trapped and terrified. This worsening situation shows that Sudan is becoming more unstable, as the war now continues into its nineteenth month.

RSF Launches Multi-Front Attacks

Military officials confirmed that RSF fighters attacked Bara, about 350 kilometers southwest of Khartoum, from multiple directions. The assault was met with heavy artillery fire from the SAF, which still controls much of the area but remains encircled by RSF positions.

According to field sources, communications networks in North Kordofan were severed following the attack, isolating residents from the outside world. “There are explosions everywhere. We can’t even contact family members in nearby villages,” said one resident via a satellite phone.

In El-Fasher, RSF forces claimed to have taken control of the North Darfur governor’s residence and advanced toward the SAF’s 6th Infantry Division headquarters, which serves as the army’s regional command center. Videos released on social media appeared to show RSF fighters celebrating near government buildings, though these claims could not be independently verified.

By early Sunday morning, columns of smoke rose over El-Fasher as clashes continued into the daylight hours. Residents reported shelling near residential areas and hospitals. “It’s happening everywhere, even near me,” one local told Media. “An artillery shell landed just 100 meters away.”

Humanitarian Crisis Beyond Comprehension

The latest wave of violence has deepened what aid workers describe as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. According to Dr. Razan Al-Mahdi, spokesperson for the Sudan Doctors Network, conditions in El-Fasher have “surpassed all comprehension.”

“Every passing day, we lose at least three children due to malnutrition, disease, and the complete collapse of healthcare,” she said in a statement released on Thursday.

Four major United Nations agencies, including UNICEF and the World Food Program, have warned that more than 250,000 civilians—half of them children—are now cut off from food, water, and medical aid. The destruction or abandonment of health facilities has led to an alarming rise in severe malnutrition among children.

In October alone, Save the Children reported the deaths of at least 17 children and the wounding of 22 others in El-Fasher. Constant shelling and blocked roads prevent humanitarian organizations from sending supplies.

Drone Warfare Escalates Across Sudan

The fighting has become more intense with the use of drones. Both sides are using drones to attack buildings and enemy locations. Earlier this week, the RSF attacked power plants in North Kordofan, causing big power outages and hurting several workers in the energy sector.

For the fourth consecutive day, RSF drones also targeted Khartoum International Airport, which the army had been preparing to reopen after recapturing the capital in March. The attacks have forced the indefinite postponement of the reopening, dealing a blow to hopes for restoring civilian air operations.

UN expert Radhouane Nouicer expressed grave concern about the “unchecked expansion” of drone strikes, warning that they are increasingly hitting civilian infrastructure and humanitarian convoys.

"This kind of warfare blurs the distinction between combatants and civilians," he stated. Those already trapped in war areas and unable to escape face severe consequences.

Both the SAF and RSF are fighting for control of El-Fasher, which is considered the key entrance to Darfur. Control of the city would grant either side dominance over trade routes and supply lines running through western Sudan.

The SAF said it successfully repelled a “massive multi-directional assault” on Thursday. However, sources within the 6th Infantry Division admitted that the army remains under constant pressure.

“The RSF has surrounded the city from five directions,” said one military official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We are holding, but the humanitarian situation is collapsing.”

Sudan’s Endless War and Global Inaction

The civil war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and displaced well over 12 million people—nearly one-fourth of Sudan’s population. The United Nations estimates that 30 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis.

Despite widespread international condemnation, the fighting shows no sign of abating. Ceasefire attempts led by regional blocs such as the African Union and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) have repeatedly failed.

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salem visited Washington, D.C., over the weekend for talks on peace and humanitarian aid. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied reports that indirect negotiations were underway between the SAF and RSF, calling such claims “inaccurate and politically motivated.”

International Response: Limited and Fragmented

While the humanitarian toll grows, the global response remains limited. United States President Donald Trump has pledged to “intensify efforts” to end the war, but diplomatic progress has been slow. Analysts assert that other crises, particularly the Gaza ceasefire and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, have divided the U.S. administration's attention.

Dr. Ahmed Eltayeb, a political analyst based in Cairo, stated that Sudan has become less visible globally. With so many competing conflicts, the world’s attention is elsewhere, but the people of Sudan are paying the price.”

Human rights groups have urged the United Nations Security Council to impose stronger sanctions on both the SAF and RSF for alleged war crimes, including attacks on civilians and aid workers. So far, international pressure has failed to stop the violence.

A Nation on the Brink

As fighting rages in both El-Fasher and Bara, fear and exhaustion define daily life for millions of Sudanese. Families are fleeing with little more than what they can carry, seeking refuge in neighboring Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt.

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