El Fasher, April 9(Darfur 24)
Eyewitnesses and local sources in Mershing town, located 86 kilometers north of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, reported intense military movements by Rapid Support Forces RSF, believed to be preparing to launch an attack on El Fasher.
Darfur 24 verified a video posted on social media showing RSF second commander, Abdel Rahim Dagalo, directing his forces to move toward El Fasher and “enter it within 72 hours,” calling on the city’s residents to leave immediately for their own safety.
Eyewitness from Mershing, who preferred to remain anonymous for security concerns, told Darfur 24 that Dagalo addressed a large gathering RSF fighters, accompanied by leaders from the Native Administration of South Darfur, in the Wadi Amar area.
He indicated that the area witnessed the presence of convoys of combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons, as these forces remained in Mershing for more than five days.
Another witness confirmed the arrival of military reinforcements from Nyala to Mershing and indicated that Dagalo addressed these forces on Monday.
In the town of Manawashi, located 10 kilometers east of Mershing, witnesses reported that RSF ordered shutdown of Starlink network in Mershing on Tuesday.
Eyewitness Abdel Raziq Fadlallah (a pseudonym) said he had to walk from Mershing to Manawashi to conduct financial transactions after Wi-Fi services were suspended.
He believed this measure was likely aimed at “preventing leakage of onformation about ongoing RSF military movements.
He pointed out that the internet blackout has isolated Mershing from the outside world, impacting daily life activities, especially in the areas of commerce, business, and social interaction.
In the same context, sources from the town of Shangil Tobay, southwest of El Fasher, reported heavy military movements on the road linking Nyala and El Fasher on Monday evening. Dozens of combat vehicles and heavy trucks were seen crossing at night toward El Fasher.
In the town of Al-Koma, local sources reported that a Sudanese army warplane flew over the city for more than 20 minutes without carrying out any airstrikes.
Displacement
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 300 families were displaced from Zamzam IDP camp and El Fasher city between April 5 and 7 due to worsening insecurity.
It indicated that these families were fled to Tawila locality in North Darfur.
The senior management of Zamzam IDP camp and the joint force objected to calls for the evacuation of displaced persons from the camp and El Fasher. The Sudan Liberation Movement – Transitional Council, led by Al-Hadi Idris, and the Sudan Liberation Forces Gathering, led by Al-Tahir Hajar, expressed their willingness to provide safe corridors for the exit of civilians.
A joint force , RSF , the Sudan Liberation Movement – Transitional Council, and the Sudan Liberation Forces Gathering is working to protect displaced persons (RSF) from El Fasher and Zamzam camp all the way to Tawila and Korma.
El Fasher is experiencing a dire humanitarian situation due to the severe shortage of food supplies resulting from the siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces on the city since April 2024.