Sudan Army Advances Toward Khartoum Amid Escalating Conflict
The conflict in Sudan is intensifying as the army approaches Khartoum’s presidential palace. Recent shelling by the RSF killed six civilians, while the army aims to reclaim lost territories. Since April 2023, the war has led to significant civilian casualties and displacement, with ongoing clashes exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The ongoing armed conflict in Sudan is escalating, particularly as the army approaches the presidential palace in Khartoum. Recent shelling by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Omdurman led to the deaths of six civilians, including two children, and injured 36 others, prompting concerns over civilian safety. The bombardment targeted residential areas and children playing in local fields, as reported by the Khartoum regional government’s media office.
Initiated in April 2023, the conflict between the RSF and the army has intensified, with military forces aiming to reclaim territory previously lost to the RSF. The army reports it is now less than a kilometer from the presidential palace, which has been under RSF control since the conflict began. In a recent video address, RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo asserted his troops would maintain their position.
Recent observations indicated significant violence in Khartoum, with heavy smoke billowing over the city from ongoing clashes. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 12 million individuals, creating severe humanitarian crises worldwide. In Khartoum alone, the UN estimates that at least 3.5 million people have been forced from their residences due to the violence.
Reports also indicate that the RSF shelling in El-Obeid, North Kordofan, claimed two lives and injured 15 others, while over 200,000 individuals are currently displaced throughout North Kordofan due to the conflict. Additionally, nearly one million people are facing acute food shortages, according to UN assessments.
Clashes are spreading to regions such as Blue Nile state, where the RSF reported destroying military vehicles and capturing prisoners. As the war nears its second anniversary, the geographical control has largely divided Sudan, with the RSF asserting dominance in parts of Darfur and the army controlling the northern and eastern regions. However, recent military advances hint at a potential reclamation of the capital by the army.
The conflict in Sudan represents a profound humanitarian crisis, with escalating violence resulting in civilian casualties and mass displacement. The army’s strategic advancement towards Khartoum’s presidential palace marks a significant development in this ongoing conflict, intensifying the struggle for territorial control. As fighting spreads and humanitarian needs surge, urgent global attention is required to address the tragic consequences faced by the populace.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
