The Sudanese Armed Forces have regained control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, battling the Rapid Support Forces amidst a brutal civil war. This conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, underscored by the work of gravedigger Abidin Durma. As the fighting continues, families face daily fears and grief over lost loved ones, indicating a deep-rooted humanitarian crisis.
The civil war in Sudan has intensified, with the Sudanese troops managing to reclaim the presidential palace in central Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This strategic gain marks a significant turning point after the army was ousted from the city two years prior. While the military’s control expands in the capital, the civilian population continues to suffer the catastrophic consequences of the conflict, enduring widespread death and destruction, with many regions facing famine.
The Sudanese Armed Forces have recently reclaimed several districts in Khartoum, with a renewed offensive targeting the RSF. A report indicated that troops advanced significantly following a nighttime rallying event, and strategically destroyed an RSF convoy. This timely military operation underscores the critical nature of the Republican Palace complex, which holds both historical and symbolic importance for Sudan.
Among those affected is Abidin Durma, the Omdurman gravedigger whose work starkly illustrates the war’s devastation. He regularly buries between 25 to 50 bodies daily as residents seek refuge from the fighting. The increased number of casualties reflects mounting artillery fire, which has devastated local markets and civilian areas, resulting in numerous unnecessary deaths. Mr. Durma’s family history in Omdurman ties back to the roots of Sudan’s civil origins, intensifying his sense of obligation during these perilous times.
The situation has left families shattered, as evidenced by Abazar Abdel Habib, who suffered the loss of his brother and sister-in-law in an artillery strike. The emotional aftermath includes caring for the wounded, notably Omnia, a young girl who narrowly survived the bombardment but became orphaned. The community seeks to preserve the memory of the deceased for the younger generation, emphasizing support amidst ongoing turmoil.
The daily fears experienced by mothers like Ilham Abdel Rahman and Hawa Ahmed Saleh reflect the grim reality facing families in Omdurman. Children are forced to live in a state of constant anxiety, while daily life is interrupted by the threat of shelling. Amid these harrowing experiences, the overarching uncertainty regarding the war’s resolution looms large. Even with military advancements, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan remains unchanged, with lasting scars expected to linger for years post-conflict.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, particularly in Khartoum, has brought immense suffering and loss to the civilian population. The military’s recent gains, while strategically significant, do little to alleviate the dire humanitarian conditions faced daily. Gravediggers like Abidin Durma exemplify the tragic toll of war, while families cope with extraordinary grief and loss. Without sustainable peace, the wounds inflicted by this conflict will continue to haunt the nation.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
