Sudan's Ongoing Struggle: The Sudanese Armed Forces Regain Ground
Sudanese Military Retakes Presidential Palace in Significant Offensive to Recover Capital from Rebel Forces
In the heart of Khartoum, Sudan's capital, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have made a significant advance, reclaiming the Presidential Palace from the grips of a rampaging militia that has plagued the nation. This victory marks a turning point in the tumultuous battle between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in April 2023.
The conflict, wracking the war-torn country, has sparked one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data initiative, the death toll has surpassed 28,000, with over 11 million individuals displaced from their homes.
The RSF has laid siege to Khartoum and the Sudanese seat of power since the conflict began. However, on Friday, the government announced that its troops had seized control of the Presidential Palace and would continue their push to retake the capital. Information minister Khalid Al-Aiser took to X to declare, "Today the flag is raised, the palace is back, and the journey continues until victory is complete."
The RSF holds parts of Khartoum, controlling the country's western, southern, and central regions, including Darfur, where ethnically-motivated killings are rampant. The SAF presides over the eastern and northern parts of the country. The recapture of Khartoum would symbolize a significant victory for the SAF, as the RSF had begun to establish a parallel government. Nevertheless, the human toll of this struggle remains substantial, with civilians often caught in the crossfire.
Seif Magango, a spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office, stated Thursday that dozens of civilians have lost their lives in Khartoum due to artillery shelling and aerial bombardment by both the SAF and RSF since March 12. Both warring parties have been accused of war crimes, with the United States alleging the RSF of committing genocide, the second instance in the country in two decades.
A recent UNICEF report has also linked the SAF to atrocities, such as sexual violence against young children, some as young as one. The RSF has been reported to raid homes in eastern Khartoum, carrying out summary executions and arbitrary detentions, and looting food and medical supplies from community kitchens and clinics. Meanwhile, the SAF and their associates have been accused of looting and other criminal activities in areas under their control in Khartoum North (Bahri) and East Nile. Widespread arbitrary arrests continue in East Nile.
The conflict's humanitarian implications are dire:- Displacement and Starvation: Over 12.8 million individuals are displaced, with confirmed famine in multiple areas of North Darfur and severe food insecurity affecting 24.6 million people.- Healthcare Crisis: Attacks on healthcare facilities have crippled the healthcare system, with over 70% of facilities in conflict-affected areas inoperable. Disease outbreaks like cholera, malaria, and measles are widespread.- Malnutrition: Nearly 3.2 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, with 770,000 at risk of severe acute malnutrition.- Violence Against Civilians: Grievous violations against children, including recruitment, killing, and sexual violence, have been reported. Gender-based violence has tripled, affecting an estimated 12.1 million people.- Infrastructure and Aid Delivery: The conflict has disrupted essential services like water, electricity, and food aid, intensifying suffering among displaced populations.
Despite mounting international efforts, the escalating humanitarian needs continue to outpace their ability to respond, further complicated by inadequate aid delivery.
In the ongoing struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the SAF is aiming to control the entire capital, Khartoum, after regaining the Presidential Palace in 2023. The RSF currently holds parts of Khartoum, particularly the western, southern, and central regions, including Darfur, where rampaging killings have occurred. The world is closely watching the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has displaced over 12.8 million individuals, created a healthcare crisis, and led to severe malnutrition, particularly among children under five.
