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Sudan's Ambassador to Ankara, Nadir Yousif Eltayeb, said nearly 1 million people are surviving in El-Fasher on aid delivered by air from the armed forces, as the city has been under siege for about 30 months.

Speaking at a meeting on Sudan hosted by the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) in Ankara, Eltayeb criticized the international community's handling of the conflict and said Sudan is seeking justice.

Siege and attempts to break it

Eltayeb said El-Fasher has been under a complete siege for roughly 30 months. "About 1 million people are surviving on the aid that the armed forces deliver by air. People cannot access food and will have to eat tree bark," the ambassador said.

According to Eltayeb, Sudan's government forces have made more than 200 attempts to break the siege of the city, and the international community has shown bias in failing to resolve the situation. Eltayeb also said the armed forces are making intensive efforts to lift the siege.

Allegations of genocide and foreign backing

Eltayeb argued that rebel forces in Sudan are backed by foreign countries and could not advance without outside support. Eltayeb also said armed groups have deliberately targeted certain tribes in El-Fasher, and stated: "What is happening in El-Fasher is a genocide."

The number of people killed in El-Fasher and Darfur is unknown, Eltayeb said, adding that pressure from the United Arab Emirates prevents Sudan from submitting reports on massacres to the United Nations Security Council. "The UAE supports the armed groups, but since this has not been proven, the international community cannot do anything," Eltayeb said. The ambassador thanked Turkey for its support to Sudan and said: "We are seeking justice for Sudan."

City falls after prolonged siege

El-Fasher, besieged from May 2024, came under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on October 26, 2025. The city is the capital of North Darfur state in western Sudan and was the last major city in the Darfur region held by the Sudanese army before the RSF takeover.

Access to food and medical supplies grew increasingly difficult during the siege, and civilians faced severe humanitarian conditions as basic goods ran out. According to the UN Human Rights Office, more than 6,000 people were killed in the first three days of attacks carried out after the RSF seized the city.

Displacement and continuing hardship

After the RSF took control, allegations emerged of killings, forced displacement, torture and sexual violence against civilians. The United Nations warned that violence against civilians, including women and children, was continuing and that it had received reports of executions and sexual violence.

About 138,200 people were displaced from El-Fasher and surrounding settlements between October 26, 2025 and March 1, 2026. The city, which was home to more than 1 million people before the war, is now estimated to have fewer than 70,000 residents left.

Security problems persist alongside shortages in access to food and health services. The flight of large numbers of civilians after the RSF takeover has further deepened the already severe humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Key takeaways

• Sudan's Ambassador to Ankara, Nadir Yousif Eltayeb, said nearly 1 million people in El-Fasher are surviving on aid airlifted by the armed forces after about 30 months of siege.
• Eltayeb said government forces made more than 200 attempts to break the siege and accused the international community of bias.
• The ambassador alleged foreign backing for the rebels and accused the UAE of blocking reports to the UN Security Council, saying "What is happening in El-Fasher is a genocide."
• The UN Human Rights Office said more than 6,000 people were killed in the first three days after the RSF took El-Fasher on October 26, 2025, and about 138,200 people were displaced by March 1, 2026.