El Fasher , April 9(Darfur 24)
Military and local sources in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, revealed to Darfur 24 on Wednesday that the Sudanese Army and its allied forces have strengthened their defensive preparations inside the city in anticipation of an imminent attack by the Rapid Support Forces, which have imposed a siege on the city since last May.
This comes at a time when displacement from El Fasher and the IDP camps around the city to Tawila, North Darfur, continues, according to the Darfur Displaced Persons Coordination Committee.
El Fasher is the last stronghold of the Sudanese Army in the Darfur region, making it a target for the Rapid Support Forces, which are seeking to control it.
A military source in the Sudanese Army, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Darfur 24 that the armed forces had completed their preparations following statements by the second commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Abdel Rahim Dagalo, in which he threatened to storm the city within 72 hours and called on civilians to leave. To leave for their own safety.
The source indicated that the army and the joint forces of the allied armed movements, along with the popular resistance, and other supporting forces, have reinforced their positions around El Fasher Airport, using heavy artillery. They have also intensified their deployment in strategic locations and some neighborhoods of the city.
He added, “There is a full team of drone experts on full alert to deal with any hostile movements around the city.”
He stated that the city witnessed limited clashes on Wednesday on the eastern axis, which lasted for an hour before stopping. The Rapid Support Forces shelled the city with heavy artillery, causing a number of civilian casualties and injuries, who were transferred to the Saudi Hospital.