By HAN News Desk
KHARTOUM — Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has declared that the Sudanese Armed Forces have begun a major offensive to reclaim control of western Darfur from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as violence in the region continues to escalate and civilian suffering deepens.
Gen Burhan said the new military campaign was launched in response to what he described as ongoing “massacres and oppression” perpetrated by the RSF against communities in West Darfur. Addressing supporters on Tuesday, he accused the paramilitary group of committing widespread violations, including targeted killings and systematic intimidation of civilians. He added that the region had descended into “a humanitarian catastrophe,” insisting that the army could not remain idle while civilians faced “relentless terror.”
The announcement comes at a time when the conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF has intensified across multiple fronts. Since the war erupted in April 2023, Darfur has witnessed some of the worst violence, with reports of ethnic attacks, entire neighborhoods emptied by fighting, and thousands of families fleeing towards Chad and other safer areas. Residents and local activists in towns such as El Geneina have described scenes of widespread destruction and breakdown of law and order, as RSF-affiliated militias tightened their grip on much of the region.
While the RSF has not yet issued an official response to Burhan’s latest declaration, the group has consistently denied targeting civilians, accusing the army of fueling the conflict and refusing to engage in meaningful ceasefire efforts. Both sides have been widely condemned by international human rights organizations, which warn that without urgent intervention, the situation could deteriorate even further.
Regional officials and humanitarian agencies have expressed concern that a new large-scale offensive in West Darfur could push the region deeper into crisis. Aid access remains extremely limited due to insecurity, bureaucratic restrictions, and destroyed infrastructure. Millions of civilians are displaced and living in dire conditions, with shortages of food, medical supplies, and shelter becoming increasingly severe.
Despite growing calls for de-escalation, Gen Burhan’s announcement suggests that Sudan’s war may be entering yet another dangerous phase, with Darfur once again at the center of a conflict that has already devastated much of the country.
