Ahmad 
The city of El Fasher, North Darfur, witnessed a sharp military escalation today, Saturday, between the Sudanese army and its allies on the one hand, and the Rapid Support Forces on the other.
According to local sources, fierce battles erupted, including a large-scale attack launched by the Rapid Support Forces from three axes on the positions of the Sudanese army and the armed movements allied with it, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
The attack on El Fasher came after a period of relative calm, and at a critical time before the expected ceasefire talks scheduled to begin in Geneva on August 14.
The attacking forces were able to make progress towards the headquarters of the Sudanese army in the Sixth Infantry Division, while the armed movements and mobilized groups are seeking to control the city and prevent it from falling into the hands of the Rapid Support Forces.
The rains that swept the city over the past two days flooded the trenches used by the Sudanese army, which helped the Rapid Support Forces to intensify their artillery shelling and launch a ground attack from several axes.
International and local circles are awaiting the ceasefire talks called for by the United States of America, as the “Rapid Support Forces” expressed their welcome for the talks and their readiness to participate in them, while the position of the Sudanese army on this call is not yet clear.
The Sudanese army’s allies, including armed movements such as the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement, demanded their inclusion in the talks, which further complicates peace efforts in the region.
Report: More than 17,000 casualties in 6,000 battles in Sudan since fighting erupted in April 2023