Fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF continues near the al-Jili oil refinery, with significant clashes reported and air strikes conducted in response to RSF provocations. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has displaced millions and resulted in accusations of war crimes. More than one million have fled to South Sudan, where social media access has been suspended due to unrest.
The Sudanese army is currently engaged in combat with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the vicinity of the al-Jili oil refinery, located north of Khartoum. On Wednesday, the army achieved proximity to the crucial refinery after initiating a comprehensive offensive. Despite their efforts, they have not yet fully secured control over the refinery, with ongoing reports of direct confrontations with the RSF.
Reports indicate significant fighting in el-Fasher as tensions escalated following a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the RSF for the Sudanese army to vacate the city. Upon the ultimatum’s expiration, air strikes targeted RSF positions, while ground clashes ensued around the Zarqa buildings complex in Khartoum North, involving heavy weaponry from both factions.
Since the onset of hostilities in April 2023, the conflict—ignited by rising tensions between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—has resulted in considerable humanitarian consequences, displacing approximately 12 million individuals. Both the RSF and the Sudanese army have traded accusations of war crimes, with widespread civilian casualties.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that over one million people have fled to neighboring South Sudan, with many being South Sudanese who had previously escaped the civil conflict in their own country. In response to unrest fueled by allegations of violence against South Sudanese nationals in Sudan, the South Sudanese government has suspended access to various social media platforms for 30 days.
The unrest in South Sudan included riots that resulted in the deaths of at least 16 Sudanese nationals. The National Communications Authority ordered the suspension of social media services, citing the extreme violence that has engulfed the South Sudanese population amid the conflict.
The conflict in Sudan has escalated since April 2023, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, leading to severe humanitarian crises. With millions displaced and accusations of war crimes from both sides, the conflict’s impact extends beyond Sudan’s borders, affecting neighboring South Sudan. The ongoing violence has also led to unrest within South Sudan, prompting government authorities to restrict social media as a measure to maintain order amidst rising tensions.
The ongoing hostilities between the Sudanese army and the RSF near Khartoum highlight the deepening conflict in Sudan, which has catastrophic humanitarian consequences. As the situation unfolds, both the domestic impact and the regional ramifications are significant. The conflict has not only displaced millions but also ignited violence in South Sudan, leading to government interventions to maintain stability.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
