Sudan’s regular army has advanced to 500 meters from the presidential palace, currently held by the RSF, amid intensified conflict. Battles have surged in Khartoum and North Darfur, displacing millions and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis, with many facing severe food insecurity.
On Thursday, Sudan’s regular army advanced to within 500 meters of the presidential palace, which has remained under the control of rival paramilitaries for nearly two years. Military sources have reported increased gunfire and explosions throughout Khartoum, indicating an escalation in the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The army also successfully destroyed an RSF convoy of 30 vehicles that attempted to retreat southward during their military operations in central Khartoum. This advance coincides with a robust offensive aimed at reclaiming areas of greater Khartoum that were lost to the RSF early in the ongoing conflict that erupted in April 2023.
The clash is a power struggle primarily between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. The war has displaced over 12 million individuals, effectively splitting the nation, with the army controlling the north and east, while the RSF dominates the western and southern regions.
In recent military actions, the army has successfully regained control of Khartoum North and the East Nile district, yet the RSF continues to maintain several strongholds within Khartoum and the adjacent Omdurman city across the White Nile. Escalations are also occurring in El-Fasher, which is the last state capital in North Darfur not under RSF control and has faced ongoing sieges.
The army along with allied militias has rebuffed RSF assaults on El-Fasher, although retaliatory shelling has targeted the nearby Zamzam displacement camp, which is experiencing severe food shortages due to the ongoing conflict. Currently, around two million people in Sudan are facing extreme food insecurity. In addition, almost 1.7 million individuals have been displaced within North Darfur, where ongoing battles are reported in locations such as Malha, near the borders with Libya and Chad.
The conflict in Sudan has escalated significantly, with the army approaching the presidential palace and engaging heavily with paramilitary forces. The ongoing power struggle between military leaders has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and severe food insecurity affecting many. Military advances in key regions signify a shifting battleground, although many challenges remain, particularly in areas like El-Fasher which remain contested.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
