The United States has imposed sanctions on two high-ranking commanders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) due to their involvement in deadly attacks in Sudan's region.

The United States has implemented sanctions on two commanders of Sudan's paramilitary force, pledging to apply pressure to halt the unit's offensive on the Darfur city of El-Fasher.

The Treasury Department announced it would freeze any US assets and criminalize transactions with Ali Yagoub Gibril, Central Darfur commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and an RSF major general involved in operational planning, Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Wednesday, "The RSF military operation to encircle and besiege El-Fasher, North Darfur, has endangered the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians." He added, "We stand ready to take additional measures against those individuals and institutions that actively escalate the war – including any offensive actions on El-Fasher."

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over reports of intense fighting in densely populated areas as the RSF attempts to gain control of El-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur not under its authority.

Since war erupted in April 2023 between Sudan's army and the RSF, resulting from their top generals rejecting a integration plan, thousands have perished, and millions have been displaced.

Despite leading diplomatic initiatives to quell the conflict, the United States has encountered limited success and influence, given RSF commanders' lack of significant assets in Western countries affected by sanctions.

Both the RSF and Sudan's armed forces are determined to secure a victory on the battlefield and have received support from external actors.

The US special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, is currently on a trip across the Middle East and Africa this week, aiming to facilitate progress in the region.

Accusing both sides of war crimes, the United States has charged the RSF with perpetrating ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity against Darfur's indigenous African-origin population.

The RSF's precursor, the Janjaweed militia, conducted a brutal campaign in Darfur, which the United States previously labeled as genocide.