Residents of Sudan's besieged city of al-Fashir are trying to protect themselves from drones and shells after intensifying attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Al Fashir

Drone strikes in al-Fashir, Sudan, have resulted in the deaths of at least 57 civilians, including 17 children, according to local sources. The attacks, reportedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeted a centre for displaced people and a soup kitchen, contributing to a dire humanitarian situation in the city.

Al-Fashir remains the Sudanese army's last stronghold in Darfur, where an 18-month siege by the RSF has displaced over one million people. Residents who remain face daily violence, hunger, and disease, with reports of up to 30 deaths per day. Many have resorted to digging bunkers for protection and limiting their movements to avoid drone attacks. Both the Sudanese Army and the RSF have not responded to requests for comment.

Drones strike civilians in Sudan's al-Fashir as siege worsens hunger

This is the aftermath of an attack on a centre housing displaced people in Sudan's al-Farsha. Locals say it was the work of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Repeated drone strikes during prayers left 57 dead, including 17 children, among them three babies, according to the centre's manager. Residents say it is now the reality of life in famine-stricken al-Farsha. It is the Sudanese army's last holdout in the vast western region of Darfur as it battles the RSF in a two-and-a-half-year-long civil war. The army has been gaining ground elsewhere in Sudan, but Darfur is the RSF's stronghold. It aims to base a parallel government there, potentially geographically splintering the country. More than one million have fled al-Farsha during an 18-month siege by the RSF, according to the UN. An estimated quarter of a million civilians remain, but it has become dangerous and expensive to leave, and there are fears of mass reprisals if the city falls. More than a dozen residents told Reuters by phone those still in the city have dug bunkers for protection after repeated strikes on civilians. People also describe avoiding drones by limiting their movements and large gatherings in the daytime and not using lights after dark. One doctor said they avoid being seen by sticking to the wall like a gecko. A local journalist said it has become normal to only bury their dead at night or very early in the morning. Here at the Abu Shouk camp, an attack took place on a soup kitchen for those displaced by the fighting. The drone incident that happened and this shelling wasn't a one-off. This happens maybe about three times a day and then we run to the shelters. Four or more of us died and a number of people were injured. I honestly don't know the number. Activists from a local network say on average 30 people a day are dying from violence, hunger and disease. According to Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, as of October 4, the RSF had almost fully encircled al-Farsha. Reports warn even animal feed people had resorted to eating had become unavailable. Neither the Army nor the RSF responded to written requests or calls seeking comment.

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