Witnesses told Reuters that the Rapid Support Forces, which have been fighting the Sudanese army for six months, have made progress and are seeking to strengthen their control in the capital over the past few weeks. After months of stalled negotiations by mediators, there appears to be no clear victor and no end in sight to the war, which has led to the displacement of more than 5.75 million people and the deaths of thousands, as well as the destruction of major cities.
Rapid Support Forces quickly took control of the capital and have been accused by residents of looting and occupying homes. The army, which has maintained control over its bases, has carried out significant airstrikes and artillery fire. It now seems that the Rapid Support Forces are attempting to move south towards Al-Jazeera state, an important agricultural area and population center. Hundreds of thousands of residents, along with some displaced government and humanitarian entities from Khartoum, have moved there.
Last week, the Rapid Support Forces took control of Al-Aylafon, a key town along one of the routes leading to Madani, and witnesses reported that they looted and displaced thousands of residents, many of whom fled on foot. One of the escapees, Amina, said, "The attack was so intense that the army soldiers ran out of ammunition and had to return to their base." The forces also continued their violent assaults on Nyala and Al-Obeid, west of the capital, where attacks began shortly after the outbreak of war. The army states that its soldiers, particularly special forces units, are countering the advance.
In Khartoum, the Rapid Support Forces have been attacking several army bases, including the main army headquarters and the armored corps base. In Omdurman, witnesses reported that the Rapid Support Forces are using long-range artillery, which was previously out of reach for the paramilitary group, to attack the important Wad Sidna Air Base. Residents said that the Rapid Support Forces launched another campaign against an army base south of Khartoum in the Jabal Awliya area that resulted in 45 deaths this month, according to a lawyers' group that did not blame either side.
