Sudan's Army Launches Major Assault in Khartoum Amid Ongoing Conflict
On Thursday, Sudan's army initiated a significant artillery and air assault in the capital city of Khartoum, as confirmed by witnesses and military sources. This operation appears to be the largest attempt by the military to regain lost territory during the ongoing 17-month conflict with the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Following the conflict's outbreak, the army lost control of much of Khartoum, marking a considerable shift in power dynamics.
The timing of this assault coincides with an important announcement from army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly later today in New York City. Witnesses on the ground have reported intense shelling and fierce clashes as army troops endeavor to secure strategic bridges over the Nile River, which links Khartoum with its neighboring cities.
Earlier in the year, the army succeeded in regaining ground in Omdurman, one of the cities connected by the Nile. However, in various parts of the capital, the army has struggled to displace the RSF, whose ground forces have proven to be highly effective in the ongoing skirmishes.
This resurgence of hostilities underscores a broader context of turmoil throughout Sudan, where the conflict that began in April of the previous year has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that more than 10 million individuals have been displaced since the onset of the violence, with many regions now facing extreme hunger. The situation remains dire, as both military and civilian populations grapple with the ramifications of this protracted struggle for power.
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