Sudan's army has withdrawn from el-Fasher, its last western stronghold, with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) now declaring control after an 18-month siege. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stated the withdrawal was to protect civilians from "systematic destruction and killing."

• The fall of el-Fasher means the RSF controls all five state capitals in Darfur.
• The civil war has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people since April 2023.
• The UN has raised alarms over reported "atrocities" by the RSF, with UN head Antonio Guterres expressing "grave concern" over violations of international humanitarian law.