Barrier is built around a siege city of Sudan, satellite images show

A vast earth wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of El-Fasher and aims to capture people inside, according to research at Yale University.

From satellite images, the university’s humanitarian research lab has identified more than 31 km (19 miles) “Bermi” – as the raised banks are known – built by May in the city out of the city, occupied by the paramilitary forces for quick support (RSF).

El-Fasher, under siege for more than a year, has been the last major support in Darfur for the army, which has been fighting RSF since April 2023.

The Sudan Network told the BBC that the RSF is strengthening its offensive there and is deliberately targeting civilians.

“Yesterday there was a firing in a civilian area in the city center, which ultimately killed almost 24 civilians and wounds 55 people, including five women,” said Dr. Mohammed Fiasal Hassan of the Medicine Association, told the BBC Newsday program.

Attacks against the central market and residential zone were “deliberate” and “disgusting,” he said.

“Three days ago, they headed for one of the largest hospitals in El-Fashire and led to mass slaughter of patients and medical staff.”

BBC Verify says both sides in the conflict use Berms as a defensive strategy.

But the analysis of the Yale Humanitarian Studies Laboratory (HRL), which closely monitors the conflict, suggests that RSF “creates a literal box of murder around El-Fasher.”

HRL trace the construction of the Earth’s walls to the El-Fasher Map (top):

• Green line: 9 km built between 14 and 24 July 2025 (satellite images show the village of Alsen in this section)
• Yellow line: 6 km, built between 3 and 19 August 2025
• Blue line: 7 km, built between May 5 and July 12, 2025
• Red line: Currently 9 km with construction lasts between 13-27 August 2025.

HRL report It notes that the physical border deepens the conditions of siege and control of who and what can enter or leave the city, where about 300,000 people live.

Since the conflict broke out, RSF fighters and the Arab Arab militia have been accused of targeting people from Neaarabian ethnic groups.

“Some civilians are trying to escape the city, but unfortunately they are directed and killed by RSF forces,” said Dr. Hassan.

Previously, RSF denied charges of targeting civilians and ethnic cleansing.

Bermas complicate things for civilians who are trying to escape or those who want to bring food, medicines and other essential items.

Humanitarian organizations have not been able to have access to El-Fasher for months, and the rest of the civilians have suffered a constant bombing, a lack of food and difficulties in accessing medical attention.

Escape for many is impossible.

“We have no money,” said 37-year-old Halima Hashim, a teacher and mother of four, in front of four AFP agency.

To stay back was like a slow death, but “leaving is dangerous,” she said.

With the construction of the physical wall, the HRL report noted that the RSF also “determined the necessary tactical conditions” for the defeat of the army division based there.

The fall of El-Fasher would mean that RSF completely controls the western region of Darfur.

Observers warn that such a scenario could potentially lead to the division of the country, as the warring forces have appointed their own governments.

According to Yale’s HRL, the construction of the earth’s wall continues.

Researchers watched 22 km of Berm, which formed a semicircle from west north of the city.

Another approximately 9 km from the wall extended north and south of the main road to the east.

A segment of BERM, designed by Alsen (shown in satellite images above), seems to show that the greater part of the village is destroyed between May 20 and July 6th.

It also identifies damage from RSF bombing to a decisive water purification facility near the airport where the army is based.

Researchers believe the plant is still working despite the damage.

ADIB Abdel Rahman Youssef, a former governor of the central country Darfur, appealed to the UN Security Council to protect the El-Fashire civilians.

Currently, the former politician is working with the people of the NGOs of people who has a presence in El-Fasher.

“The El-Fashire civilian population pays the heaviest price. There is no one to protect them,” he told the BBC World Service.

Additional reporting from Wycliffe Muia by BBC and Lucy Fleming.