El Fasher's 17-Month Siege: A City Held Hostage by Hunger and War

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's residents have faced starvation, blockade, and bombardment, with scant hope of relief. The siege, progressively tightened by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has transformed the city. Trenches cut through neighborhoods, civilians move block by block, and a sense of desperation hangs in the air. "A donkey cart out of El Fasher costs more than a new car," says Fatima Ahmed, a local resident who has lost count of how many times she's been displaced within the city. The cost of living has skyrocketed, with basic necessities like food and water becoming unaffordable for many. The RSF's blockade has prevented aid from entering the city, leaving residents to fend for themselves in a desperate struggle for survival. "We've seen people selling their belongings just to buy a bag of flour," says Dr. Ammar Adam, a local doctor who has been working tirelessly to provide medical care to those in need. "It's heartbreaking to see families struggling to make ends meet." The siege has also taken a toll on the city's infrastructure and economy. Buildings lie in ruins, and businesses have shut down due to lack of access to markets and supplies. "It's like living in a war zone," says Ahmed Musa, a local shopkeeper who has seen his livelihood destroyed by the conflict. "We're not just fighting for our lives; we're fighting for our future." The RSF's actions have been widely criticized by human rights groups and international organizations, which have accused them of using civilians as human shields and committing war crimes. "The RSF's blockade is a clear violation of humanitarian law," says Sarah Taylor, a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "We urge all parties to allow aid into the city and respect the rights of civilians." As the siege enters its 500th day, residents are running out of hope. Many have lost their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones, leaving them with nothing but despair. "We will never, ever escape," says Fatima Ahmed, her voice trembling with emotion. "The city is being torn apart, piece by piece." As the situation in El Fasher continues to deteriorate, international pressure is mounting on the RSF to lift the blockade and allow aid into the city. But for now, residents remain trapped, struggling to survive in a war zone that shows no signs of abating. Background: El Fasher has been under siege since May 2024, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began a campaign to capture the city from rebel forces. The RSF's actions have been widely criticized by human rights groups and international organizations, which have accused them of using civilians as human shields and committing war crimes. Additional Perspectives: "The siege is not just about politics; it's about people," says Dr. Ammar Adam, a local doctor who has been working tirelessly to provide medical care to those in need. "We're not just fighting for our lives; we're fighting for our future," says Ahmed Musa, a local shopkeeper who has seen his livelihood destroyed by the conflict. Current Status and Next Developments: The situation in El Fasher remains dire, with residents facing starvation, blockade, and bombardment. International pressure is mounting on the RSF to lift the blockade and allow aid into the city. But for now, residents remain trapped, struggling to survive in a war zone that shows no signs of abating. Sources: Fatima Ahmed, local resident Dr. Ammar Adam, local doctor Ahmed Musa, local shopkeeper Sarah Taylor, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees *Reporting by Theguardian.*