Khartoum Highlight- Dr. Al-Hadi Idris, head of the Darfur region under the Tasis Authority, accused the Sudanese army and allied militias of using civilians in El Fasher for “political bargaining” . He said anyone wishing to leave the besieged city could do so, assuring safe passage to areas outside El Fasher. Idris recalled visiting the city last year, when he proposed a plan for both the Rapid Support Forces and the army to withdraw. He claimed the army rejected the initiative and attacked his forces instead.
Responding to accusations that the siege caused hunger, Idris said: “The people of El Fasher are our own. We care about them most. The suffering was caused by forces that abandoned neutrality and sided with the army. We evacuated thousands of civilians, as confirmed by international organizations in Tawila and Kurma. We opened crossings and did not besiege civilians. On the contrary, we urged them to leave.”
Militarily, Idris claimed his coalition controls 80% of El Fasher. While the army and joint forces hold less than 20%. He also dismissed reports that the RSF killed civilians in Qarni, saying they were false. Speaking to Al Jazeera Mubasher, Idris rejected any truce over El Fasher as long as the army insists on continuing the war.
“There must be a ceasefire process preceded by understandings with the army ”. He said: “We can allow them to leave without weapons, but no armed withdrawal will be accepted. Some joint forces have already left in civilian clothes and without weapons, heading to areas like Kurma. We did not oppose that.”
