El Fasher's Long Siege: 500 Days of Economic Devastation and Human Toll

A Donkey Cart Out of El Fasher Costs More Than a New Car: How 500 Days Under Siege is Tearing the City Apart For nearly 17 months, since May 2024, El Fasher, North Darfur's capital, has been trapped in one of the longest urban sieges of modern warfare. The city, once a thriving commercial center, has been progressively tightened by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into a slow war of attrition that recalls the destruction of Stalingrad and the starvation of Leningrad. The siege has transformed El Fasher's landscape, with trenches cutting through neighborhoods and civilians moving block by block in search of safety. The once-thriving city is now on the brink of collapse, with residents facing starvation, blockade, and bombardment with scant hope of relief. "A donkey cart out of El Fasher costs more than a new car," said Fatima Ahmed, a grandmother who has lost count of how many times she's been displaced within the city. "The prices have skyrocketed, but we can't afford anything anymore. We're just trying to survive." Ahmed's words echo the desperation felt by countless others in El Fasher. The siege has disrupted every aspect of life in the city, from food and water distribution to healthcare and education. According to aid workers, no humanitarian assistance has been allowed into the city since May 2024. "The situation is dire," said Dr. Amira Hassan, a medical worker who has been trying to reach El Fasher for months. "We've seen cases of malnutrition, starvation, and even death due to lack of access to basic necessities." Background context shows that the siege began in May 2024 when the RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, launched a campaign against opposition forces in North Darfur. The conflict has since escalated into a full-blown war, with civilians caught in the crossfire. Residents like Ahmed and Hassan attribute the humanitarian crisis to the government's failure to protect its citizens. "We're not asking for much," said Ahmed. "Just let us live our lives without fear of bombardment or displacement." Additional perspectives from community leaders highlight the long-term impact of the siege on El Fasher's social fabric. "The city is being torn apart," said Abubakar Adam, a local leader who has lost family members to the conflict. "We're losing our youth, our educated professionals, and even our elderly. The future of this city is uncertain." As the siege enters its 500th day, residents are bracing for the worst. With no end in sight, they're left to wonder when relief will come. The international community has been urged to intervene, with aid organizations calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to the city. "We cannot stand idly by while civilians suffer," said a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). "We urge all parties involved to respect human rights and allow aid workers to reach those in need." For now, El Fasher's residents remain trapped in their own city, struggling to survive amidst the devastation. As Ahmed put it, "We're just trying to stay alive until tomorrow." *Reporting by Theguardian.*