KHARTOUM, Sudan – The battle for control of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, has escalated as clashes intensify between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The RSF has established bases in residential neighborhoods of Khartoum, while the army has struggled to gain ground despite its air superiority.
As the RSF fights to seize control of Khartoum, millions of civilians find themselves trapped in the crossfire without access to basic necessities such as electricity and water. The scorching heat adds to their suffering.
On Sunday, the RSF announced the seizure of the headquarters of the paramilitary Central Reserve police, located on the southern outskirts of Khartoum. This comes after the RSF attacked army bases in various parts of the city on Tuesday, according to witnesses.
The conflict has had a severe impact on civilians, particularly as the holy festival of Eid approaches. Mawaheb Omar, a mother of four who has chosen not to abandon her home, expressed her despair, stating that the usually joyous occasion will be “miserable and tasteless” this year, as she cannot even afford to buy mutton, a customary part of the festive feast.
While the fighting in Khartoum unfolds, the situation in Darfur, located in Sudan’s western region, is deteriorating to “alarming levels,” warned the United Nations. The international body, along with the United States, Norway, and Britain (known as the Troika), condemned widespread human rights violations, conflict-related sexual violence, and targeted ethnic violence in Darfur. The RSF and allied militias are primarily held responsible for these atrocities.
The RSF, descended from the Janjaweed militia, which was unleashed by the Khartoum government in response to a rebel uprising in Darfur in 2003, has been accused of looting humanitarian supplies, factories, and abandoned houses. General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo responded to these accusations, promising swift and strict action against any of its members found guilty of such abuses.
The conflict in Sudan has also spread to other parts of the country. A local rebel group has opened new fronts against the army in South Kordofan state, south of the capital, as well as in Blue Nile state, along the border with Ethiopia. In response to the violence, authorities in South Kordofan have implemented a nighttime curfew.
The UN has expressed deep concern about the fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, along with the escalating conflict in Darfur, warning that it could further broaden the scope of the conflict. The UN refugee agency has reported a worsening situation in West Darfur state, making it increasingly challenging to deliver life-saving aid to affected populations.
As violence continues to escalate, the number of displaced people has risen dramatically. Nearly 645,000 individuals have fled to neighboring countries, mainly Egypt and Chad, while approximately 2.2 million people have been internally displaced within Sudan itself. The UN estimates that a staggering 25 million people in Sudan require humanitarian aid and protection.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum has intensified, causing immense suffering for civilians trapped in the crossfire. Additionally, the situation in Darfur is deteriorating, with widespread human rights abuses and ethnic violence raising concerns about the well-being of the affected population.
