Deadly Advances and Drone Strikes by RSF in North Darfur: Warnings of Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan’s powerful paramilitary group, have consolidated and expanded their grip on North Darfur in early 2026, carrying out drone strikes, ground operations, and territorial consolidations that have intensified an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. As of March 13, 2026, the RSF—led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti)—controls nearly the entire Darfur region, with only isolated pockets like parts of Tina locality and Kornoi remaining under pro-Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) joint forces. This dominance follows the RSF’s October 2025 capture of El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, after an 18-month siege marked by mass atrocities now widely described as bearing “hallmarks of genocide.”
Recent developments show the RSF advancing further, launching drone strikes on civilian and military targets, and securing strategic areas amid ongoing clashes. These actions have displaced thousands more, restricted aid access, and exacerbated famine risks in a region where millions already face acute hunger and violence.
RSF Consolidation and Recent Advances in North Darfur
The RSF’s control over Darfur is near-total, with effective authority across most of North Darfur except for holdouts near the Chad border. In January 2026, RSF forces “liberated” (as claimed) the Girgira area in North Darfur after fierce battles against SAF-aligned remnants. More recently, reports indicate RSF advances along key routes, including the seizure of Al-Tina and elimination of opposing forces, further tightening their hold.
In February 2026, the RSF conducted a major raid on Misteriha (or Mastariha), a town associated with tribal leader Musa Hilal, killing at least 28 people—including doctors—and wounding dozens. The assault involved ground forces tearing through the area, following patterns of targeted violence against perceived opponents. These operations aim to eliminate resistance pockets, secure supply lines from Chad and Libya (despite SAF claims of destroying RSF supply sites in March), and prevent any SAF resurgence in the region.
Drone warfare has become a hallmark of RSF tactics. While both sides deploy drones, RSF strikes have hit civilian infrastructure, markets, and aid routes, contributing to mass casualties. In contrast to SAF drone operations in other areas (e.g., Kordofan), RSF actions in North Darfur focus on consolidating post-El Fasher gains and disrupting any remaining opposition.
The Shadow of El Fasher Atrocities
The RSF’s October 2025 takeover of El Fasher remains a defining horror. UN reports document over 6,000 killings in the first three days of the offensive, with widespread sexual violence, enforced disappearances, torture, and ethnically targeted attacks against non-Arab communities like the Zaghawa and Fur. A February 2026 UN fact-finding mission concluded these acts show “hallmarks of genocide,” involving a coordinated campaign of destruction after an 18-month siege that imposed starvation and deprivation.
Satellite imagery from Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab revealed mass graves, burned bodies, and evidence of door-to-door killings. The U.S. sanctioned RSF commanders in February 2026 for their role in the siege and atrocities. Despite denials from the RSF, these events have triggered massive displacement—hundreds of thousands fled to Tawila (now a major hub with ~665,000 IDPs) and eastern Chad, where refugees report ongoing abductions, including children.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis and Warnings
The RSF’s advances and drone strikes compound Sudan’s worst humanitarian disaster. North Darfur faces extreme food insecurity, with famine risks persisting from the El Fasher siege. Displacement hubs like Tawila and border areas suffer restricted aid due to violence and blockades. Drone attacks on markets and convoys kill civilians and disrupt supplies, while clashes force new waves of flight—thousands displaced in February alone from areas like Misteriha.
The UN and NGOs warn of spillover risks: escalating violence near Tine has driven civilians into Chad, constraining cross-border aid. Broader conflict dynamics show frontlines shifting, with RSF focusing on Darfur consolidation while SAF pushes in Kordofan. Ceasefire efforts remain stalled; RSF rejected SAF-linked proposals for withdrawal and reintegration.
International responses include UN condemnations, calls for accountability, and sanctions, but the crisis deepens. With millions displaced nationwide and famine confirmed in pockets, North Darfur’s situation risks repeating Darfur’s 2003-2005 genocide horrors.
As March 2026 unfolds, the RSF’s grip tightens amid drone-fueled violence and humanitarian despair. Without urgent de-escalation, inclusive talks, and unrestricted aid, warnings of further atrocities and regional spillover loom large. Sources: UN reports, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Sudan Tribune, ACLED, and Crisis Group. The situation remains fluid—follow verified updates closely.
