Inside the Crossfire: A Sniper’s View of Sudan’s Ongoing Conflict

This article explores the significant transformation of Khartoum from a budding democracy to a battleground, centering on the experiences of a sniper commander in the Sudanese Army. As the conflict persists, the struggles and strategies of soldiers are laid bare amidst the ruins of a once-thriving capital.

In a chilling image captured by Ivor Prickett and Peter Robins, we meet Sergeant Major Ismail Hassan, the leader of a sniper team in the Sudanese Army. He is stationed in a commandeered luxury apartment building that has become a strategic observation point overlooking the Blue Nile and the Sudanese presidential palace. Dates on civil conflict, once an emblem of a nation striving for democracy, have marred what was a vibrant riverside locale.

Now war has shattered that tranquility. Since a military coup and two years of civil strife erupted, the air is thick with tension. The sniper's perch shows signs of heavy use, with the walls stained from gunfire and the eerie quiet interrupted only by distant clashes. The absence of light bulbs speaks volumes — soldiers and looters have stripped the place bare, lest enemy forces identify a target in the darkness.

As tensions escalated, on March 12, 2025, the river was transformed into a volatile front line. The southern bank is dominated by the presidential palace, while the northern bank provides a base for the soldiers. The Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) have claimed much of Khartoum since April 2023, forcing the army to protect a handful of remaining strongholds.

The military recently made strides in reclaiming territory, celebrating a pivotal recovery of the palace in recent days. Future ambitions of driving the R.S.F. completely out appear optimistic; however, sources caution that the prospect for lasting peace seems bleak. With much of Khartoum already reduced to ruins, chaos remains the enduring characteristic of this capital.

Image contributions from Declan Walsh further enhance the gravity of the situation, demonstrating the stark contrast of a nation once on the brink of positive change, now mired in devastation.