The Sudanese army is making significant territorial gains in Khartoum, having recaptured important areas from the RSF. This progress comes amid severe humanitarian issues, including starvation affecting over 100,000 residents. Both the army and RSF are accused of committing atrocities during the conflict, which has displaced millions. Concerns over retaliation against civilians remain as the conflict escalates.
The Sudanese army has achieved significant progress by regaining substantial areas of Khartoum from the RSF paramilitary group, marking its most notable triumph since the conflict began. Reports from a medical professional, referred to as Mustafa, indicate that intense clashes continue, with dangers affecting civilians due to falling shrapnel and stray ammunition. Key strategic sites, including the national mint, have been reported as recaptured by the army this week.
While the army has recaptured almost total control over the crucial state of Gezira, it now aims to leverage this momentum to take control of Khartoum and dismantle the RSF’s two-year siege. Army leader Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan proclaimed, “Very soon there will be no rebels in Khartoum,” signaling the army’s determination to assert control over the capital.
The conflict has precipitated dire humanitarian conditions across Sudan, with over 100,000 residents in Khartoum alone suffering from famine. Since the outbreak of hostilities nearly two years ago between Gen Burhan and his adversary Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Hemedti,” an estimated 12 million people have been displaced, with many civilians facing violent deaths.
International aid agencies classify Sudan as experiencing the gravest humanitarian crisis globally, highlighting atrocities perpetrated by both the army and RSF, including allegations of genocide in Darfur. Both factions deny the accusations against them. The army’s re-entry has garnered cautious support from recently liberated areas, as the RSF faces allegations of severe civilian abuses, including violence and looting.
The RSF has dismissed claims of the army’s advances as “lies and rumors,” a tactic they have consistently employed amid recent setbacks. Analysts attribute the army’s successes to the recruitment of more personnel and the acquisition of additional weaponry, bolstered by the crucial recent capture of key military locations.
Concerns linger for Khartoum’s residents regarding the potential for retaliatory violence from the army, raising fears of arbitrary retribution akin to previous incidents post-expulsion of the RSF from other areas. As Mustafa continues to observe the brutal realities of the conflict, he expresses the prevalent fear among residents regarding their precarious safety amidst warfare.
Similarly, Amir, residing across the River Nile in Omdurman, articulates his anxiety for his cousin. He fears that his family member, who interacts with RSF elements for survival, faces grave danger from the army’s potential reprisal, further illustrating the conflict’s complex moral landscape.
For the time being, local residents like Mustafa and Amir are left in a state of uncertainty, awaiting developments in this volatile situation as the national stability of Sudan hangs perilously in the balance.
The civil conflict in Sudan began nearly two years ago, stemming from power struggles between Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army leader, and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti,” who commands the RSF paramilitary. The fighting has resulted in widespread humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and numerous atrocities reported against civilians. The political and military dynamics in Sudan reflect a deeply entrenched struggle for power and control between armed factions, contributing to one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian emergencies.
In conclusion, the Sudanese army is making substantial gains in its effort to retake Khartoum amidst ongoing conflict with the RSF paramilitary group. Following recent victories, the situation remains perilous for residents, many of whom face violence and famine. While the army asserts that it is nearing complete control, the ramifications of the conflict continue to burden civilians. The international community must address these humanitarian crises urgently while monitoring the conflict’s escalations.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
