Ahmed Abdul Rahman, just 13 years old, lies injured in a makeshift camp in the city of El-Fasher as artillery shells thud ominously in the distance. His mother reveals that his entire body is covered with shrapnel from the latest attack, highlighting the grim reality of life in this besieged city.
El-Fasher has endured a 17-month siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who aim to wrest control from the Sudanese Army. Following their retreat from the capital, Khartoum, RSF has intensified efforts to conquer what remains of the army's stronghold in Darfur.
Civilians trapped in the city, like Ahmed and his mother, struggle with frightening uncertainty and scarcity of crucial resources. As hospitals face bombardments and shortages, the injured often find themselves without adequate care or medication.
Hamida Adam Ali, another victim, recounts how she lay helpless for five days after being hit. Her profound sorrow for her missing husband and hungry children echoes the despair felt by many.
The conflict, marked by violence and devastation, has displaced hundreds of thousands. As both the RSF and the Sudanese Army clash in a battle for territorial control, the situation becomes increasingly dire with fears of further atrocities against civilian populations.
International responses and media narratives have underscored the urgency for humanitarian aid as families like Ahmed's face a nightmare without end. As the city implodes under siege, the world watches, hoping for a glimmer of hope amid the chaos.
