Sudan army launches major attack on capital Khartoum

Sudan’s military has initiated a significant offensive against the powerful paramilitary group it has been battling in the ongoing civil war, focusing on reclaiming areas in the capital, Khartoum, that were lost at the outset of the conflict. The offensive began with dawn strikes on Thursday, targeting Rapid Support Forces (RSF) bases in both Khartoum and Bahri, the city located to its north.

Since the war erupted in April 2023, following a fierce struggle for power between the army and the RSF, Sudan has plunged into one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, as characterized by the United Nations. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of up to 150,000 people and displaced over 10 million, which accounts for nearly a fifth of the country’s population. The military’s recent escalation comes despite ongoing U.S.-led efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, discussions that are taking place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week.

Residents reported that artillery and airstrikes commenced overnight, intensifying at dawn. Eyewitness accounts indicated that government forces crossed significant bridges over the River Nile, which had previously separated the military-controlled areas in Omdurman from those under RSF control. While the RSF claimed to have thwarted the army’s attempts to advance, clashes and smoke were reported in various central Khartoum locations.

Since the conflict’s early days, the RSF has maintained control over most of the capital, and Thursday’s military actions represent the government’s first substantial effort in months to reclaim territory. The UN has urgently called for measures to protect civilians and halt the violence, emphasizing the dire need for humanitarian intervention.

Much of the conflict’s most brutal fighting has occurred in densely populated regions, leading both sides to accuse one another of indiscriminately targeting civilian areas. The UN warned that “relentless hostilities across the country have brought misery to millions of civilians, triggering the world’s fastest-growing displacement crisis.”

As of Wednesday, the UN reported that half of the 10 million displaced individuals are children, while at least two million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Furthermore, Sudan has been labeled “the world’s largest hunger crisis,” with widespread famine fears as agricultural activities have been severely disrupted.

The humanitarian situation is compounded by alarming warnings of potential genocide against non-Arab populations in the western region of Darfur. The country is also grappling with a cholera epidemic, with the health ministry reporting over 430 deaths from this easily treatable disease in the past month. However, delivering medical assistance to the most affected areas is enormously challenging due to the ongoing conflict.

As the military campaign unfolds, the situation in Sudan remains critical. The combination of military offensives, humanitarian crises, and the continued displacement of millions paints a bleak picture for the nation. International observers and humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent action to prevent further deterioration of the situation and to provide necessary assistance to those caught in the crossfire.

With both sides locked in a brutal struggle for power, the prospects for peace and stability seem distant, leaving the civilian population in an increasingly vulnerable position. The international community watches closely, as efforts to broker peace continue amid escalating violence and humanitarian need.