Sudan’s regular army is now within 500 meters of the presidential palace in Khartoum as clashes with the RSF escalate. The fighting follows an offensive to recover lost territories, resulting in significant casualties and displacement across the nation. The conflict, ongoing since April 2023, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, including widespread famine.
On Thursday, Sudan’s regular army advanced to within 500 meters of the presidential palace in Khartoum, which has been under the control of rival paramilitaries for nearly two years. According to military sources, intense fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has recently escalated, with reports of explosions and gunfire throughout the capital.
During the military’s advance in central Khartoum, they destroyed a convoy of 30 RSF vehicles attempting to withdraw. This advance is part of a broader offensive to reclaim territories in Greater Khartoum lost to the RSF since the onset of the war in April 2023. Army forces from the south merged with troops in the city center, increasing pressure on the RSF.
The ongoing power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has had devastating consequences, leading to tens of thousands of casualties and displacing over 12 million people. The conflict has effectively divided Sudan, with the army controlling the northern and eastern regions, while the RSF continues to dominate the west and south.
In recent developments, the army has reclaimed Khartoum North and the East Nile district. However, the RSF maintains several positions in both Khartoum and Omdurman, posing a significant challenge to the army’s efforts.
Fighting has also intensified in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which has been besieged by the RSF since May. Despite the RSF’s attempts to seize full control, the army and allied militias have been able to repel attacks. However, ongoing shelling from RSF forces has impacted the nearby Zamzam displacement camp, which is already suffering from famine. A UN assessment warns that famine conditions may expand to several more regions, affecting about two million people across Sudan.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, approximately 320,000 individuals are currently grappling with famine across the nation, contributing to significant displacement, particularly in North Darfur, where nearly 1.7 million people are now displaced. Darfur governor Minni Minnawi reported ongoing “fierce battles” between the army and the RSF in the Malha area, near the Libya and Chad borders.
The situation in Sudan remains critical as the military advances toward the presidential palace, resulting in intensified fighting with the RSF. The ongoing conflict has led to massive displacement and extreme humanitarian challenges, including famine affecting millions. The power struggle between military leaders continues to exacerbate the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and support.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
