Rebel forces say they have captured Sudan’s military headquarters

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) say they have captured the army headquarters in the besieged town of al-Fashar, marking a turning point in the country’s civil war.

The group said in a statement on social media that it destroyed “large military vehicles” and seized military equipment at the headquarters of the army’s 6th Division.

BBC Verify has confirmed the authenticity of videos circulating on social media showing RSF soldiers inside an army base.

The loss of the headquarters is a major blow to government forces as El-Fashar is the last remaining foothold in the Darfur region, leaving the RSF effectively in control of the area. The Army has yet to comment.

The RSF has besieged al-Fashar for the past 18 months, repeatedly bombing army positions and civilians. An estimated 300,000 people are trapped by the fighting.

In August, satellite imagery showed extensive earthen walls being built around the city, Aim to trap people inside.

The RSF has been advancing for weeks towards the 6th Infantry Division Command – widely regarded as the army’s headquarters in the city.

Parts of al-Fashar are still under the control of the army and allied armed groups – but that is not expected to last much longer.

Constant bombardment of residents and dwindling food and medical supplies have led to starvation and disease spreading across the city.

United Nations investigators have accused the RSF of committing several crimes against humanity during the blockade. The US has said that the RSF has committed genocide against Darfur’s non-Arab population.

Sudan has been plagued by conflict since 2023, after top commanders of the RSF and the Sudanese army defected and a vicious power struggle ensued.

More than 150,000 people have died and nearly 12 million have fled their homes across the country, creating the worst humanitarian crisis ever.

The army controls most of the north and east, Al-Fashar is by far the last major urban center in Darfur still held by government forces and its allies.

The RSF controls almost all of Darfur and the neighboring Kordofan region.

When the RSF assumes full control of al-Fashar, it hopes to establish a rival government there.

Additional reporting by Peter Mwai