Chaos in Darfur: Army Retreat Sparks Humanitarian Nightmare

The Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has made the critical decision to withdraw from its last bastion in Darfur, as control of el-Fasher falls to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This dramatic military shift coincides with alarming reports of RSF-led atrocities, raising serious concerns at the United Nations.

In a decisive statement, General al-Burhan justified the retreat as an effort to shield civilians from further harm amid what he described as "systemic destruction and killing" by the RSF. The retreat, which reportedly came after the RSF seized a key military base, hands control of the city to the RSF, subsequently leaving around 250,000 civilians, many of whom are children, in perilous conditions.

The United Nations and various international rights organizations have sounded the alarm over the deteriorating situation, with instances of ethnic violence and summary executions coming to light. The unfolding crisis in el-Fasher, marked by escalating ethnic tensions and widespread human rights abuses, has prompted urgent appeals for international intervention and humanitarian aid.