Seventeen months after the outbreak of war in Sudan, the conflict has surged back to its origin in Khartoum.
Fighting between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted for a fourth consecutive day in Khartoum state, resulting in a significant loss of life and escalating violence.
The Sudanese Air Force has carried out extensive airstrikes targeting RSF positions in Khartoum and Khartoum North (Bahri). Eyewitnesses have described scenes of mutual artillery fire in neighborhoods such as El Mogran, where the two Niles converge, and in areas of El Halfaya and El Kadaro in Khartoum North.
Social media has been flooded with images showing thick smoke rising from these regions.
The SAF has deployed reinforcements from the Omdurman Military Area, including special operations units and personnel from the General Intelligence Service (GIS).
Early on Thursday, the army launched a major ground offensive aimed at reclaiming key areas in Khartoum state that have been under RSF control since the outbreak of conflict in mid-April of the previous year.
Pro-SAF sources claim that the army has gained control of critical bridges, including the Halfaya Bridge, which connects Omdurman and Khartoum North, as well as the Iron Bridge and the White Nile Bridge.
However, a senior RSF official has denied these assertions, stating that their forces successfully repelled the SAF’s attacks.
The SAF’s strategy appears to focus on advancing through the El Mogran area to consolidate its forces at the General Command in central Khartoum.
However, they are met with stiff resistance from the RSF, which remains entrenched in both El Mogran and central Khartoum.
The SAF is also attempting to push into Khartoum Bahri via the El Halfaya Bridge.
General al-Burhan’s forces have been suffering decisive defeats on the battle field since the war began last year, this latest push in the capital comes as al-Burhan desperately needs a big victory to stay in the fight.
Reports indicate that fierce confrontations in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, have left dozens dead and injured as both factions vie for control.
The RSF is reportedly mobilizing for an assault on Kulbus in West Darfur, with additional clashes noted in El Fao, located in eastern Sudan’s El Gedaref region.
RSF also announced on Sunday that they will no longer engage in peace talks with (SAF) and are opting for a military solution to the ongoing conflict, according to RSF spokesperson Mohamed Al-Mukhtar Al-Nur.
“The drums of war have sounded… We know how to confront the army,” he added.
