Clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces intensified today, Sunday, in the capital Khartoum, with renewed accusations exchanged between the parties. The Sudanese Ministry of Interior accused the Rapid Support Forces of releasing prisoners to incite chaos. The media advisor to the ministry stated today that Rapid Support Forces stormed police headquarters to free inmates, aiming to create disorder, as reported by Cairo News TV. He also mentioned that fighters from the forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemeti, targeted health facilities to collapse the health system in the country. Furthermore, he confirmed that the Rapid Support Forces had suffered severe blows from the army, resulting in significant losses to their military capabilities and supply lines.
Meanwhile, the Rapid Support Forces claimed to have downed a military aircraft and a drone in Bahri, with the army yet to respond to these statements. Since the outbreak of fierce fighting between the two major military factions in mid-April, Sudan, which was already one of the poorest countries in the world, has plunged into a severe humanitarian crisis, with medical supplies and some relief materials failing to reach those in need, in addition to most hospitals in the capital Khartoum and Darfur region ceasing operations. Hundreds of casualties have been reported, and over two and a half million people have been displaced internally and to neighboring countries, particularly Egypt, Chad, and others. Dozens of ceasefires have failed to stop the fighting, with both sides accusing each other of violating them.
The Sudanese government's Gender-Based Violence Unit reported yesterday that it recorded 88 cases of sexual assault, stating that this figure is just a small portion of the potential total in Khartoum, Geneina, and Nyala in South Darfur. In most cases, the victims accused the Rapid Support Forces.
UNICEF confirmed that thousands are fleeing with their children from ongoing violence in West Darfur, Sudan. The organization's representative in Sudan, Mandeep O'Brien, mentioned today that thousands of families are escaping violence in the West Darfur region. O'Brien added that UNICEF is intensifying efforts to distribute essential medicines and medical supplies to treat injured and sick children in West Darfur, praising the support from partners in Chad to enhance cross-border operations. The United Nations renewed warnings about the potential for the conflict to escalate into ethnic warfare in Darfur, expressing serious concern from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees regarding the growing humanitarian needs of people affected by the crisis in Sudan.
