US alarmed by signs of 'imminent offensive' in Sudan's Darfur

Washington: The United States on Wednesday warned of a looming rebel military offensive on the Sudanese city of el Fasher, a humanitarian hub that app...

Washington: The United States on Wednesday warned of a looming rebel military offensive on the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, a humanitarian hub that appears to be at the center of a newly opening front in the country's civil war.

After a year of fighting between the SAF forces of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (FSR), under General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, millions have been displaced in the northeastern African country.

Until recently, el-Fasher -- the last Darfur state capital not under RSF control -- had been relatively unaffected by the fighting, hosting a large number of refugees.

But since mid-April, bombardments and clashes have been reported in the city and surrounding villages.

"The United States calls on all armed forces in Sudan to immediately cease attacks in el-Fasher," the State Department said.