Sudanese Army Secures Strategic Gains in Central Khartoum Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Sudanese army has claimed control of key strategic locations in central Khartoum, including the Nile Towers and the Sherwani Bus Station, against the RSF. Recent territorial gains have positioned the army near critical facilities such as the Army Command Center and the Presidential Palace. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, prompting international calls for an urgent ceasefire.

The Sudanese army has reported significant territorial advancements in central Khartoum, having seized key locations from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to a military statement, the army has gained control over the Nile Towers, a prominent high-rise, and the Al Mansheiya Bridge, which are both located in the capital’s center. Additionally, the Sherwani Bus Station, the largest transportation hub in the area, has been secured by army forces.

In a display of their progress, activists have circulated online videos depicting Sudanese troops patrolling the Sherwani Bus Station and adjacent neighborhoods. The army’s recent successes have strategically positioned them closer to critical sites such as the Army Command Center and the Presidential Palace.

There has been no immediate response from the RSF regarding the army’s claim. In a recorded statement, RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly referred to as Hemedti, expressed that his forces have no intentions of vacating Khartoum or the Presidential Palace, areas under their control since the conflict’s inception.

In recent weeks, the RSF has experienced a significant reduction in territorial control across several regions, including Khartoum and surrounding states such as Al-Jazira and Blue Nile. Specifically, the Sudanese army has advanced notably within Khartoum state, now controlling all of Bahri City and most of Omdurman City, as well as three-quarters of central Khartoum, which encompasses the Presidential Palace and the main airport. Nevertheless, the RSF continues to exert influence over the eastern and southern sections of the city.

The ongoing conflict, which erupted in mid-April 2023, has been devastating, leading to over 20,000 fatalities and displacing 14 million individuals, as reported by the United Nations and local authorities. Other research from US academic institutions presents a far graver death toll, estimating around 130,000 fatalities. As the conflict extends across 13 of Sudan’s 18 states, international and UN appeals for the war’s cessation grow increasingly urgent, highlighting the dire humanitarian implications that threaten millions with famine and mortality due to food scarcity.

In summary, the Sudanese army’s recent territorial gains in central Khartoum against the RSF underscore the ongoing complexity of the conflict. While the army has made significant advances, the RSF maintains control over key areas and continues to resist. The humanitarian crisis is alarming, with high casualty figures and widespread displacement indicating the urgent need for international intervention and a resolution to the hostilities.

Original Source: www.yenisafak.com