RSF Claims Control of Strategic Town in Sudan Amid Escalating Conflict

The RSF claims control over Al Nahud, marking a setback for Sudan’s military. The conflict has worsened, leading to civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis, as concerns over potential famine grow. UN officials emphasize the dire human rights situation amid ongoing violence.

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Friday that it has achieved what it calls a “sweeping victory” by seizing control of the strategic town of Al Nahud, situated in West Kordofan state. This development, which emerged after intensifying clashes begun a day earlier, represents a significant setback for the Sudanese armed forces, particularly as Al Nahud is not only a military stronghold but also home to the 18th Infantry Brigade’s headquarters.

The Sudanese military has yet to provide any public acknowledgment or comment regarding the potential loss of Al Nahud in the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Khalid Ali Aleisir, Sudan’s Culture and Information Minister, criticized the RSF on his Facebook account, accusing the group of committing heinous acts against vulnerable civilians, including looting and the destruction of public infrastructure.

In its defense, the RSF claimed through its Telegram channel that it had successfully destroyed army vehicles and confiscated an array of weapons and ammunition during its confrontation in Al Nahud. Following this, the paramilitary group asserted it had secured key city facilities and markets from army control.

Since the outbreak of the conflict on April 15, 2023, in Khartoum, the RSF and the Sudanese military have engaged in violent warfare, with fighting rapidly extending to various regions of the country. As of Friday, the Preliminary Committee of Sudan Doctors’ Trade Union reported that over 300 unarmed civilians have lost their lives amid RSF assaults in Al Nahud, though this number remains unverified by independent sources.

The Resistance Committees of Al Nahud decried the RSF’s attacks, stating that the violence began on Thursday morning when they stormed into the city. In a social media post, they described the assault as an act of terror against defenseless civilians, who, according to their statements, were merely seeking to protect their homes and maintain dignity.

Losing Al Nahud could significantly impair the operational effectiveness of the Sudanese army in Northern Kordofan state, as noted by the Sudan War Monitor, which tracks developments in the ongoing conflict. The town is strategically important, as it sits along a critical road that the army may have used for military operations into the Darfur region, largely controlled by the RSF.

Additionally, Al Nahud serves as a refuge for displaced individuals escaping violence from areas such as Al-Obeid, Umm Kadada, Khartoum, and El-Fasher, which is the capital of North Darfur. Compounding the crisis, recent fighting in North Darfur has resulted in an estimated 542 deaths over the past three weeks, a figure that UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk suggests is likely understated. This report incorporated the assaults on El Fasher and the Abu Shouk displacement camp, which alone accounted for at least 40 civilian fatalities.

“The horror unfolding in Sudan knows no bounds,” Türk stated, reflecting the grim reality confronting the nation. He further highlighted alarming reports of extrajudicial killings executed by RSF forces, including a particularly shocking incident where at least 30 men in civilian clothes were reportedly executed in Al Salha region.

In light of these horrific human rights violations, Türk has reached out to both the leaders of the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, emphasizing the dire consequences of this ongoing war. As he articulated, these harrowing realities have become an everyday experience for millions in Sudan, and the urgency to halt the conflict could not be more pressing.

The conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, with the RSF claiming significant victories that destabilize the Sudanese military. Control of Al Nahud marks a strategic turning point, threatening military operations in Northern Kordofan state. The humanitarian crisis deepens, with thousands of civilian casualties, profound displacement, and a widespread threat of famine. Urgent calls for a cessation of hostilities reflect the dire situation faced by the Sudanese population.

Original Source: apnews.com