Residents of Sudan’s capital reported that fighting intensified in several areas of Khartoum on Sunday, a day after the expiration of a ceasefire agreement between rival military factions mediated by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The armistice was in effect from May 22 until Saturday evening. It temporarily quelled the combat and permitted limited humanitarian access, but, like previous cease-fires, it was repeatedly violated. Friday, talks to extend the ceasefire broke down.
The violent power struggle that erupted in Sudan on April 15 has precipitated a major humanitarian crisis. With over 1.2 million people displaced within the country and another 400,000 fleeing to neighboring states.
Additionally, it threatens to destabilize the entire region.
Sunday footage revealed black smoke billowing over the capital city. Sara Hassan, a 34-year-old resident of southern Khartoum, stated over the phone, “We are living in fear of violent bombardment, anti-aircraft gunfire, and power outages.” “We are in a real hell.”
Central and southern Khartoum and Bahri, across the Blue Nile, were also combat zones.
Beyond the capital, violent conflict has also erupted in the remote western region of Darfur, which is already struggling with protracted unrest and enormous humanitarian challenges.
Eyewitnesses reported severe fighting in North Darfur’s commercial hub Kutum on Friday and Saturday.
The army denied that Darfur militia-affiliated paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had taken over the town.
Witnesses reported that a military aircraft had crashed in Omdurman, one of the three cities that comprise the greater capital region around the confluence of the Nile.
There was no immediate comment from the army, which has been employing warplanes to target the RSF’s capital-wide presence.
Initial rainfall
Separately, Sudanese antiquities officials reported that RSF militants had evacuated the national museum in central Khartoum. The RSF denied damaging the museum’s ancient mummies and other artefacts on Saturday by releasing a video from the premises.
The battle in the capital has destroyed and pillaged, shut down health facilities, power, and water, and depleted food supplies.
In recent days, the first rainfall of the year has fallen, signaling the beginning of a rainy season that lasts until October and is accompanied by flooding and an increased risk of water-borne diseases.
The rains could confound an already hampered relief effort by bureaucratic delays and logistical obstacles. Aid workers have warned that deceased bodies have been abandoned in the streets and garbage has accumulated.
Saudi Arabia and the United States stated that they continued to engage daily with delegations from the army and the RSF, which remained in Jeddah despite the suspension of ceasefire extension negotiations last week.
“These discussions are focused on facilitating humanitarian aid and reaching an agreement on near-term steps the parties must take before the Jeddah talks resume,” the two nations said in a joint statement.
