CAIRO/DUBAI: Airstrikes targeted the outskirts of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, during the night and into Saturday morning, as the ongoing conflict between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces entered its sixth week. The fighting has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, trapping civilians and displacing over a million people.
Both sides in the conflict, the army and the Rapid Support Forces, have blamed each other for the collapse of law and order, leading to widespread looting. The situation has caused severe shortages of food, cash, and essential supplies, exacerbating the plight of the affected population.
Eyewitnesses reported airstrikes in southern Omdurman and northern Bahri, which lie across the Nile from Khartoum and together form Sudan’s “triple capital.” Some strikes were observed near the state broadcaster in Omdurman. While Khartoum itself appeared relatively calm, sporadic gunshots could still be heard.
Since the conflict began on April 15, nearly 1.1 million people have been internally displaced or sought refuge in neighboring countries. The World Health Organization has reported 705 deaths and at least 5,287 injuries. Multiple cease-fire agreements have been violated, and talks sponsored by the United States (US) and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah have not yielded significant progress.
Residents in the Al-Salha neighborhood of Omdurman described heavy artillery fire and expressed fear and distress due to the ongoing violence. The regular armed forces frequently conduct airstrikes on residential areas where the Rapid Support Forces are embedded.
Ground fighting escalated in Sudan
In recent days, ground fighting has escalated in the Darfur region, particularly in the cities of Nyala and Zalenjei. The two sides have accused each other of instigating the clashes, with a locally-brokered truce in Nyala breaking down. Sporadic gun clashes were reported near the city’s main market and army headquarters on Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of approximately 30 people over the past two days.
The conflict in Khartoum erupted from disputes regarding the integration of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the army and the chain of command under an internationally backed agreement aimed at transitioning Sudan towards democracy. Decades of conflict-ridden autocracy preceded this agreement.
The US Agency for International Development announced over $100 million in aid to Sudan and neighboring countries housing Sudanese refugees. The aid includes much-needed food and medical assistance. Agency head Samantha Power expressed the magnitude of the suffering currently unfolding in Sudan.
