The Sudanese Armed Forces and allied militias have withdrawn from several positions in the city of Al-Fashir following sustained advances by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to local reports and eyewitness testimonies.

The withdrawal comes after days of intense fighting between the RSF and army units, as well as militias affiliated with the Islamic Movement and the Muslim Brotherhood. Activists and residents have reported a visible retreat of army forces from strategic sites across the city.

Sudanese activist Fahd Al-Awad stated that the situation in Al-Fashir has shifted decisively in favour of the RSF, describing the city as “a living testament to the collapse of the army.”

Activist Awatif Shafiq also noted what she described as a breakdown in command, accusing the military leadership based in Port Sudan of being disconnected from the realities on the ground.

Other observers, including Siham Al-Fadil, have attributed the army’s retreat to a combination of RSF military pressure, severed supply lines, and declining morale among troops. She claimed the forces loyal to the Port Sudan authority have experienced psychological and combat breakdowns, contributing to their loss of control.

Social media footage and reports from local outlets, including Barq Sudan, indicate that some army troops abandoned their weapons and military gear during their withdrawal.

The RSF now reportedly controls multiple areas within Al-Fashir, further consolidating its territorial gains in western Sudan.