Sudan’s Military Withdraws from El Fasher in Darfur, Ceding Control to Rival Forces

In a significant development, Sudan's military has pulled out of El Fasher, a strategic city in the Darfur region, effectively handing control to the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), a rival military faction. The withdrawal was confirmed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's military, marking a decisive shift in the balance of power in the country's vast and troubled Darfur region.The move is seen as a major blow to the Sudanese military, which has been locked in a bitter struggle with the R.S.F. for control of the country. El Fasher, a city in North Darfur state, has been a key stronghold for the military, and its loss is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the region.While details of the withdrawal remain scarce, analysts say that the military's decision to retreat from El Fasher may be a tactical move to regroup and reassess its strategy in the face of mounting pressure from the R.S.F. However, the handover of the city to rival forces is likely to embolden the R.S.F., which has been seeking to expand its influence in the region.The conflict in Darfur has been simmering for years, with the Sudanese military and the R.S.F. vying for control of the region's resources and territory. The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of various armed groups and militias, which have been accused of committing human rights abuses and atrocities.The withdrawal of the Sudanese military from El Fasher is likely to raise concerns among humanitarian organizations and human rights groups, which have been monitoring the situation in Darfur closely. The region has been plagued by violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises, and the latest development is likely to exacerbate the suffering of civilians caught in the conflict.As the situation in Darfur continues to evolve, international observers are watching closely to see how the power dynamics in the region will shift in the coming days and weeks. The Sudanese military's withdrawal from El Fasher is a significant development that is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the country and the region.