The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies have taken control of other Darfur state capitals last year, leading to ethnic violence and human rights abuses against non-Arab groups.

The fight for Al-Fashir, a historically significant city, could lead to prolonged conflict, increased ethnic tensions, and potential spillover into neighboring Chad.

The city is home to around half a million people displaced during the earlier conflict in the region, when the army and Arab militias suppressed a rebellion by non-Arab groups.

In April 2023, a war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum led to approximately 500,000 more people moving into the city.

Tensions between the two forces over integration had been simmering.

A truce was brokered in Al-Fashir, but it fell apart when the RSF took the town of Melit, effectively blockading Al-Fashir.

The army has since reinforced supplies and troops in the city, while two prominent former rebel groups, Minni Minawi's Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Jibril Ibrahim's Justice and Equality Movement, have announced they will defend against the RSF.

In Al-Fashir, non-Arab residents live in fear due to ongoing violence and displacement.

Clashes between various militias have resulted in over 220 deaths in the last year, including at least 18 on April 16.

Villages on the city's outskirts have been destroyed, displacing at least 36,000 people, according to UN estimates.

Satellite imagery obtained by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab shows the destruction of at least 11 villages.

Local activists and an SLA spokesperson accuse the RSF and allied militias of using arson in the attacks.

Activists reported around 10 people killed in attacks in Al-Fashir, Sudan, with survivors claiming ethnic insults were used.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) denied involvement and accused the army and allied groups of attacking them on the outskirts.

The RSF has previously denied responsibility for ethnic violence in Darfur.

The army did not respond to requests for comment.

Al-Fashir has been without functioning water or power lines for a year, and only one public hospital is operating.

Displaced people are living in schools and public buildings.

An expert warned that all-out fighting could worsen the city's already serious food crisis.

The text discusses the spillover risk of the ongoing conflict in Darfur, particularly in Al-Fashir, where only limited aid has entered due to army control.

Prices for essential goods have increased due to the RSF's control of the main road, and tensions and violence around Al-Fashir have raised concerns for a wider conflict.

The former rebel groups fighting alongside the army are from the Zaghawa tribe, which extends into Chad, and clashes between Arab and non-Arab tribes over land and resources have been a long-standing issue.

The entrance of Musa Hilal's forces, a leading Arab commander from the same tribe as RSF commander Hemedti, adds complexity to the situation.

A spokesperson confirmed that a video of Sudan's militia leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hilal), was authentic, as he addressed forces in North Darfur on Monday.

However, it is uncertain if these forces will join the ongoing conflict in Al-Fashir or elsewhere.

Independent Sudan analyst Jonas Horner stated that the situation goes beyond the ongoing conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as scores are being settled and tensions are being renewed.