Eyewitnesses recount harrowing ordeals from the embattled city of El-Fasher, Sudan

In the heart of Sudan, the city of El-Fasher has become a battleground, forcing thousands of its residents to flee their homes in search of safety. Among them are Mohamed Siddig, Ahmed, and Nazer Muhana Ali, whose stories of survival are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Mohamed Siddig, a resident of Abu Shouk, was stopped by RSF fighters during his escape. Siddig had described living on ombaz, a bitter peanut husk meant for animals, during his time in El-Fasher. He was accused of being with the army and brutally beaten with a stick by RSF fighters, leaving his left hand and knee injured. After four days in captivity, Siddig managed to escape.

Ahmed and his brother, displaced within the city, were sheltering at a school in Awlad al-Reef district. Tragically, they were stopped and beaten by RSF fighters, who robbed them of their possessions. Ahmed's hand was broken and still has shrapnel in it, while his brother was injured in the neck and chest. Despite their injuries, they continued their journey west toward the area of Golo, where they hid for a day beneath a tree. Eventually, they were taken to a hospital in Tawila, where Ahmed is currently waiting for surgery.

Nazer Muhana Ali, a 20-year-old from Al-Salam neighborhood, fled El-Fasher with his family. They walked 70 kilometers (43 miles) west to Tawila, joining thousands of others who had sought refuge there to escape the violence. Ali's father and brother were killed, and his brother was hospitalized due to an RSF drone strike.

The conflict in El-Fasher has resulted in attacks in areas such as El-Fasher and Abu Shouk camp, with concerns raised about shelling in and around these locations. Both the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have been involved, according to a fact-finding report issued on May 25, 2024, although specific details about the issuing organization were not found in the search results.

During their journeys, these civilians had to endure hardships unimaginable to most. They ate ombaz and drank rainwater due to the lack of food and water. At dusk, they resumed their journey, heading toward Tawila.

The plight of these individuals serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. Their stories are a call to action, urging the international community to take notice and provide aid to those who have been displaced and are in dire need.

Eyewitnesses recount harrowing ordeals from the embattled city of El-Fasher, Sudan