The Sudanese Army regained control of the Libya Market in Omdurman, marking a significant advancement in Khartoum. This is the first time since April 2023 that the army has retaken the market from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent military actions have led to the army establishing control over most parts of Khartoum, amidst a conflict resulting in thousands of casualties and massive displacements.
On Saturday, the Sudanese Army successfully regained control of the “Libya Market” located in western Omdurman, marking a significant advancement amidst ongoing military operations in Khartoum. This successful retake is notable as it is the first time the Sudanese Army has regained the market since it was captured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, during the early stages of conflict.
Omdurman is one of the three main cities that comprise Khartoum. A military source, who chose to remain anonymous, reported to Anadolu Agency that the army made substantial progress within the Libya Market following clashes with RSF members. The source also indicated that this development follows the army’s prior success in reclaiming surrounding neighborhoods.
The Sudanese Army personnel disseminated videos across social media platforms demonstrating their operations within the Libya Market, a prominent market in Sudan’s capital. The control of this significant location, recognized as an RSF stronghold in Omdurman, is expected to facilitate further expansion of army authority in the western regions still dominated by the RSF.
Recent military actions have enabled the Sudanese Army to achieve control over vast sections of Khartoum and completely take the city of Bahri. Just days earlier, the army announced the clearing of the remaining RSF forces from Khartoum province and the recapture of crucial sites, including Khartoum Airport and several neighborhoods, marking the first such achievements since the onset of the conflict.
Since the onset of hostilities in April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the RSF has resulted in over 20,000 casualties and displaced approximately 15 million individuals, as reported by the United Nations and local authorities. Estimates from American universities suggest that the death toll may be as high as 130,000.
The RSF has recently witnessed significant setbacks in multiple regions, including Khartoum, Al-Jazeera, White Nile, North Kordofan, Sennar, and Blue Nile. As it stands, of Sudan’s 18 states, the RSF maintains control over certain pockets in the western and southern areas of Omdurman and parts of North and West Kordofan, while also holding four states in the Darfur region. Conversely, the Sudanese Army governs the city of Al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, within the same region.
The Sudanese Army’s recent gains, particularly the retaking of the Libya Market, signify notable strides in reclaiming control over vital urban areas in Khartoum amid ongoing conflict with the RSF. These developments illustrate the shifting dynamics of power within Sudan, as the army continues to assert its dominance in key regions while the RSF experiences retreats across several states. Continued military engagements are expected as the conflict endures with significant humanitarian implications.
Original Source: www.jordannews.jo
