An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher, with the intention to trap the population, according to research from Yale University. Satellite images obtained and analyzed by Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) indicate more than 31 kilometers of berms, constructed since May, encircling the city, now under siege for over a year.
El-Fasher is a critical stronghold for Sudan’s army amidst ongoing conflicts against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Reports from the Sudan Doctors Network reveal an intensification of attacks by the RSF on civilians, leading to numerous casualties. A recent shelling in a civilian area resulted in the deaths of almost 24 people.
Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan emphasized the deliberate nature of these attacks, as recent offensives targeted key civilians and medical facilities. Humanitarian access to el-Fasher has been severely restricted, worsening conditions for around 300,000 residents suffering from food shortages and lack of medical care.
The HRL findings also illustrated how the berms enhance control over who can enter or exit el-Fasher and present a major obstacle for civilians attempting to flee or receive humanitarian aid. Observers suggest this situation could lead to the complete domination of the region by the RSF, raising fears of partitioning within Sudan as rival forces establish their own governance.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the construction of these barriers signals a deepening crisis, with civilians increasingly caught in the crossfire.
