In a tragic escalation of violence, an artillery strike by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Omdurman resulted in the deaths of three civilians, including two children, on Sunday. The bombardment, described by witnesses as one of the heaviest in months, occurred just two days after the Sudanese army achieved a significant victory by regaining control of the presidential palace in the capital, Khartoum.
The ongoing conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s regular army, which began in April 2023, has spiraled into a humanitarian disaster, with tens of thousands dead and over 12 million people displaced. This war has created what is now considered the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis. Despite the army’s recent territorial gains, analysts caution that these victories are unlikely to halt the cycle of violence that has led to numerous atrocities against civilians. Reports indicate that attacks, often indiscriminate, routinely target homes and markets, exacerbating the suffering of the population.
Residents of Omdurman recounted a harrowing experience during the recent shelling. One anonymous witness described how the barrage consisted of seven consecutive strikes without pause, a stark contrast to the previous patterns of bombardment that included breaks between salvos. The violence has not only claimed lives but also left neighborhoods in ruins as artillery indiscriminately strikes civilian areas. A medical source from Al-Nao Hospital, one of the few remaining functioning healthcare facilities in the area, confirmed the fatalities and stated that eight others had sustained injuries from the shelling.
In the backdrop of this turmoil, the Sudanese military, alongside allied factions, has progressively reclaimed parts of Khartoum, including the government district situated just across the Nile from Omdurman. Although the RSF maintains a presence in critical areas of the city, including the airport and various districts, the army recently nabbed significant state institutions, effectively bolstering its position in the ongoing struggle.
The RSF’s response to the military’s advances has been aggressive, described as a “lightning operation” that included drone strikes, which resulted in the deaths of three journalists and several military personnel. Amidst this conflict, an RSF representative acknowledged that their forces had withdrawn from certain locations but stressed that fierce battles were still underway near the airport.
The military’s momentum in the capital has led to the seizure of strategic infrastructure, including the Tuti Island area, previously under RSF control for nearly two years. However, the country remains deeply divided; the army governs the east and north, while the RSF retains control over much of the western region of Darfur and portions of southern Sudan.
With the situation increasingly desperate, millions continue to face the dire consequences of this protracted conflict, and the prospect of peace remains elusive. As violence flares anew, the humanitarian toll grows, raising urgent calls for intervention and support for those affected by the crisis.
