Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Sunday that they have seized the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) headquarters in El Fasher, the last major army stronghold in Darfur, potentially marking a turning point in the country’s 30-month civil war. The SAF has yet to confirm or deny the claim.

RSF spokesperson Suliman Agal shared footage on Telegram purportedly showing RSF fighters inside the compound, following what he described as “fierce clashes” that overwhelmed SAF defenders. If verified, the capture would give RSF full control over Darfur, isolating the army to eastern regions along the Nile and southeast.

El Fasher, a critical humanitarian hub for 800,000 civilians and a United Nations operations base, has been under RSF siege since April 2023. The city hosts 300,000 residents, many facing famine conditions. According to UN data, 1.9 million people in Darfur are at risk of starvation, and recent airstrikes have killed dozens.

Sources in Khartoum described the development as a “major setback” for the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Reinforcements were reportedly dispatched from Omdurman in response. The RSF’s advance reverses recent SAF gains, including the recapture of Khartoum in September.

The RSF, originally formed from Janjaweed militias and reportedly armed by the UAE per UN findings, now controls most of western Sudan. The group faces international accusations of war crimes, including ethnic massacres in Darfur. Meanwhile, the SAF has been criticized for indiscriminate bombing campaigns and internal divisions.

Peace talks in Jeddah collapsed last month, with both sides rejecting ceasefire proposals amid mounting atrocity allegations. The international community has expressed alarm: UN envoy Ramtane Lamamra called for “immediate de-escalation” to prevent a “humanitarian catastrophe,” while the U.S. imposed sanctions on RSF-linked gold mining operations.

Aid organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, report worsening conditions in El Fasher, with 50,000 people displaced last week and food supplies expected to run out within two weeks. “We’ve survived sieges before, but this feels final,” said Fatima Ahmed, a resident of the embattled city.

As the conflict deepens, the fall of El Fasher—if confirmed—could reshape the balance of power in Sudan and intensify calls for urgent international intervention.