The capture of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 26 October 2025 marked a significant escalation in Sudan’s civil war.[1] Al-Fashir was the last major urban centre in Darfur not under RSF control, and its fall consolidated RSF dominance in western Sudan. Reports indicate that hundreds of civilians were killed during the offensive, with some estimates suggesting more than 400 deaths in the immediate aftermath.[2] Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced, seeking refuge in surrounding towns and across Sudan’s borders, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian agencies face severe restrictions in accessing populations due to ongoing hostilities, insecurity, and the deliberate targeting of infrastructure. Hospitals, water facilities, and markets have been damaged or rendered inoperable, leaving civilians without essential services. The fall of Al-Fashir highlights not only the intensification of the conflict but also the vulnerability of Darfur’s population to prolonged violence, starvation, and disease.
