In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Sudan’s army has launched a major offensive to regain control of key areas in the country’s capital, Khartoum. The push comes as the army attempts to dislodge the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with which it has been locked in a brutal struggle for power since mid-April 2023. This latest assault highlights the intensifying battle for control of the city and the deepening humanitarian crisis that has engulfed the country.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict between the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, began as a power struggle between the two factions. Both military groups were instrumental in overthrowing long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and in sustaining the military-led transitional government that followed. However, tensions over the integration of the RSF into the regular army, as well as disputes over the direction of Sudan’s political transition, culminated in open warfare in April 2023.
Since then, Khartoum and surrounding areas have become the epicenter of violent clashes, with the capital being divided into zones controlled by the army and the RSF. Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence, with thousands killed and millions displaced, and basic services have largely collapsed.
The Army’s Latest Push
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are now making a concerted effort to regain strategic locations in Khartoum, particularly in areas where the RSF has entrenched itself. According to reports from military sources, the army’s recent offensive has focused on districts in Omdurman and Bahri, two cities that form part of the greater Khartoum metropolitan area.
- Key Targets: The army’s push has concentrated on airports, military bases, and vital infrastructure in an effort to weaken the RSF’s hold. Securing these locations would not only give the army a tactical advantage but also allow them to establish control over the city’s airspace and transportation routes, which have been contested since the beginning of the conflict.
- Heavy Fighting: The offensive has resulted in intense urban warfare, with both sides reportedly using heavy artillery, drones, and airstrikes. Residential areas have been caught in the crossfire, leading to increased civilian casualties and further displacement. Eyewitnesses have described scenes of devastation in neighborhoods that have become battle zones, with buildings reduced to rubble and streets littered with debris.
- RSF Resistance: The RSF has mounted fierce resistance, particularly in the central parts of Khartoum where they have fortified their positions. The paramilitary group, which emerged from the Janjaweed militias notorious for their role in the Darfur conflict, has demonstrated its ability to conduct guerrilla-style urban warfare, making the army’s advance slow and costly.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
As the fighting intensifies, the humanitarian situation in Khartoum and across Sudan continues to deteriorate. According to international aid agencies, over 5.5 million people have been displaced within Sudan, with an additional 1 million fleeing to neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. The United Nations has warned of widespread food insecurity and medical shortages, exacerbated by the destruction of vital infrastructure.
- Collapse of Services: Hospitals, schools, and basic services in Khartoum have largely collapsed, with many medical facilities forced to shut down due to damage or a lack of supplies. Humanitarian groups have struggled to deliver aid due to the ongoing fighting, with many regions now inaccessible.
- Civilian Casualties: The escalating conflict has led to a surge in civilian casualties, with both sides accused of committing war crimes and targeting non-combatants. As fighting continues in densely populated areas, the risk to civilians grows, with little prospect of safety or refuge.
- International Response: The international community has condemned the violence, but efforts to mediate a ceasefire have repeatedly failed. Peace talks held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and mediated by the African Union and the United States, have yet to produce a lasting agreement. Meanwhile, aid organizations are calling for urgent international intervention to prevent the further collapse of Sudan’s fragile state.
Broader Implications
The renewed offensive by the Sudanese army is a critical moment in the ongoing conflict. If successful, it could tip the balance of power in favor of the army and potentially lead to the defeat of the RSF. However, the entrenched nature of the fighting suggests that even a military victory will not bring about a quick resolution to the conflict.
- Political Vacuum: Both the army and the RSF are fighting for control of Sudan, but neither has presented a clear political plan for the country’s future. The continued violence has left a power vacuum, with civilian leaders and pro-democracy groups sidelined. Any military victory is unlikely to lead to immediate stability, as deep-seated political and social issues remain unresolved.
- Regional Stability: Sudan’s conflict has had significant spillover effects on the region, particularly in Chad and South Sudan, where refugee flows and armed militias have destabilized border areas. Neighboring countries and the broader international community are increasingly concerned about the regional ramifications of the prolonged fighting.
- Risk of Fragmentation: As the conflict drags on, there is growing concern that Sudan could fragment, with different regions aligning with various factions. The longer the war continues, the more likely it becomes that tribal, ethnic, and regional divisions could deepen, making national reconciliation and governance even more difficult.
Conclusion
The Sudanese army’s latest offensive to retake Khartoum marks a critical juncture in the country’s ongoing conflict, but it is also a stark reminder of the human cost of war. As fighting intensifies, the prospects for a peaceful resolution remain distant, and the humanitarian crisis worsens by the day. With no clear path to peace, Sudan’s future hangs in the balance, and the international community is being urged to step up efforts to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table before the country is irreparably fractured.