U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating violence in Sudan, specifically highlighting a new offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Al-Fashir. During his visit to Cairo on September 18, 2024, Blinken stated that this offensive poses a significant threat to the progress made in Sudan amid ongoing humanitarian crises and political instability.
The RSF’s renewed assault on Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, has intensified since early May 2024, leading to widespread destruction and civilian casualties. Reports indicate that fierce fighting has resulted in the deaths of hundreds and displaced thousands of residents from the city, which is home to approximately 1.5 million people, many of whom are internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Humanitarian organizations and local witnesses have described dire conditions in Al-Fashir as both the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) engage in heavy combat. The use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas has raised alarms about potential war crimes, with indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes reported by various sources. According to Doctors Without Borders, they have treated hundreds of casualties since the fighting escalated, with many victims suffering severe injuries.
Blinken’s remarks underscore the urgent need for international intervention as the situation deteriorates. He emphasized that continued violence could lead to catastrophic humanitarian consequences for civilians trapped in Al-Fashir. The U.N. has warned that an attack on the city could exacerbate an already critical humanitarian crisis, endangering countless lives.
In response to the escalating conflict, the U.S. Treasury Department recently imposed sanctions on two high-ranking RSF commanders, Ali Yagoub Gibril and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed. These sanctions aim to hold accountable those exacerbating violence and undermining peace efforts in Sudan.
Experts have raised alarms about the potential for mass atrocities if Al-Fashir falls under RSF control. A report from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab indicated a high risk of ethnic targeting and mass violence against civilians, particularly non-Arab communities historically oppressed by RSF forces. The ongoing conflict has roots in long-standing ethnic tensions, with many fearing a return to the genocidal practices seen during earlier conflicts in Darfur.
While local mediation efforts have shown some promise in curbing violence temporarily, analysts argue that stronger international engagement is necessary to foster a sustainable resolution. Negotiations facilitated by Saudi Arabia have been ongoing but remain fragile amid the intensifying conflict.
Kholood Khair, a Sudanese political analyst, noted that increased international attention could pressure the RSF to show restraint. However, she cautioned that without sustained focus from global powers, atrocities may escalate unchecked.
