Sudan Conflict: Militias Bombard Port Sudan Airfield, City Controlled by Military Forces
Sudan Conflict: A Persistent Clash
Breaking news! On Sunday, May 4, paramilitary forces attacked Port-Sudan airport, the temporary seat of authorities. The army reported that, "the enemy mounted drone attacks on Osman Digna airbase, a cargo warehouse, and various civilian installations in Port-Sudan this morning." Cheers as casualties were nil.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been battleground to a conflict between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, headed by his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Early on, the army was chased out of Khartoum by the RSF and was forced to retreat eastward and set up shop in Port-Sudan. However, they managed to reclaim Khartoum at the end of March.
Port-Sudan, under army control, now shelters UN agencies and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, having previously managed to stay violence-free. Regrettably, this is the first time since the start of the war that this city, more than 600 kilometers east of Khartoum, has seen conflict.
Where things stand:The conflict rages on between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. Although the SAF made a big push in the early months, especially in central Sudan, successfully reclaiming Khartoum from the RSF [2][3], the RSF continues its fight, primarily holding ground in western areas like Darfur and Kordofan [4].
The looming threats:The RSF has resorted to stepping up morale with drone attacks and minor offensive operations against SAF-controlled territories in northern Sudan [3]. Meanwhile, the SAF faces challenges achieving complete national control, with the RSF still holding substantial territories in the west and southwest [2].
What about Port Sudan?Details are scarce about Port Sudan's current standing relative to the conflict. Generally, Port Sudan is Sudan's significant economic port city. However, direct conflict mentions are limited, so it remains unclear how the city has fared in the ongoing standoff.
The road ahead:Predictions are that this conflict will persist due to ongoing backing from external parties and the absence of a concerted international effort to mediate it [2]. The landscape is ever-shifting, with both the SAF and the RSF maintaining a robust military presence across different regions. The RSF's continuous grip on vast territories complicates settlement negotiations and the prospect of a unified government [4].
- Despite the army's successful reclaiming of Khartoum, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue their conflict, with the RSF holding significant territories in western regions like Darfur and Kordofan.
- Recently, the RSF has intensified their offensive operations, resorting to drone attacks against SAF-controlled territories in northern Sudan, raising concerns about the city of Port Sudan, significant for its economic port activities.
- In light of the prolonged backing from external parties and the lack of an international mediation effort, it appears that the conflict between the SAF and the RSF is likely to persist, complicating settlement negotiations and the formation of a unified government.
- As the battle lines shift, the ongoing clashes between the Sudanese government forces and the paramilitary groups continue to pose a challenge to the stability and peace of Sudan, with Port Sudan serving as a critical strategic location in this ongoing war-and-conflicts saga.
