In brief
In a troubling development, extensive earthen barriers are being constructed around the city of el-Fasher, Sudan, aiming to confine its population amid ongoing violence. Satellite images analyzed by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab reveal that over 31 kilometers of berms have been erected since May. With the city under siege for more than a year, human rights organizations report increasing civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions.
An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher and is intended to trap people inside, according to research from Yale University.
From satellite images, the university's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has identified more than 31 km (19 miles) of berms - or raised banks - constructed since May in territory outside the city occupied by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
El-Fasher, under siege for more than a year, is the last major foothold in Darfur for Sudan's army, which has been battling the RSF since April 2023.
The Sudan Doctors Network has told the BBC that the RSF was intensifying its offensive there and deliberately targeting civilians.
Yesterday there was a shelling in a civilian area down in the city centre that ended up killing almost 24 civilians and injuring 55 people, among them five women, Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan, from the medics association, told the BBC's Newsday programme.
The attacks on the central market and a residential area were deliberate and heinous, he said.
BBC Verify reports both factions in the conflict have utilized berms defensively. However, the HRL’s analysis suggests the RSF is creating a literal kill box around el-Fasher.
The HRL traced the construction of the earthen walls on to a map of el-Fasher and noted a significant impact on the ability of civilians to escape and for humanitarian aid to reach the besieged area.
Dr. Hassan added that civilians attempting to flee are often targeted by RSF forces, while access to essential resources remains critically impeded.
