El Fasher, December 16 (Darfur24)
At least 15,000 civilians have been killed and thousands more displaced following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of El Fasher, according to the North Darfur Ministry of Health.
Lana Awad Sabil, the ministry’s communications officer, told Darfur24 on Tuesday that arbitrary arrests, torture, hunger, and the spread of disease inside detention centers are continuing, describing the situation as a grave humanitarian catastrophe.
She accused the RSF of committing systematic violations, including attacks on health facilities and medical personnel, the destruction of the state’s healthcare system, denial of medical treatment to civilians, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the deliberate killing of sick and wounded people unable to flee.
Sabil said more than 250 health and administrative workers were detained following the fall of El Fasher. About 30 have since been released, including the Director General of Health, Dr. Khadija Musa, while the majority remain in custody.
She added that reports from the United Nations, human rights organizations, and survivor testimonies indicate a sharp deterioration in the conditions of women and children since the city’s capture. Large-scale displacement has forced thousands to flee to other parts of Sudan and across borders into neighboring countries.
According to Sabil, many pregnant women endured severe hardship during displacement journeys, resulting in miscarriages in some cases.
She also reported the discovery of unaccompanied and missing children in several displacement camps, separated from their families amid the chaos of escape.
The Rapid Support Forces took control of El Fasher in late October.