Sudan Army Gains Ground as Civil War Rages On

As the army wrests control from the RSF in the capital, humanitarian crises deepen alongside escalating violence, leaving residents uncertain about their safety.

The conflict in Sudan is reaching a new phase as the army makes substantial advances in Khartoum, recovering large swathes of territory from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, marking what could be its most significant gain in the past year. Local residents, like a doctor who spoke under the pseudonym Mustafa, report heavy clashes, with deadly shrapnel and stray ammunition affecting their neighborhoods.

The military's recent operations have enabled it to regain critical locations, including the mint where currency is produced. While the RSF maintains control over much of Khartoum itself, the army's successes in the broader tripartite capital, which includes Omdurman and Bahri, coupled with its near-total reclaiming of the state of Gezira, suggests a shift in momentum. Army leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has boldly claimed that the RSF's presence in Khartoum will soon dwindle.

However, the ongoing conflict has left a humanitarian disaster in its wake. Aid organizations warn that famine afflicts over 100,000 individuals in Khartoum alone, and approximately 12 million people have been displaced since violence erupted nearly two years ago between Burhan and his deputy-turned-adversary, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, who commands the RSF. As both sides face accusations of grave atrocities against civilians—including genocide in Darfur—they continue to deny these claims.

As the army presses forward, it has garnered support from local populations scarred by the RSF's brutal tactics, which include allegations of murder, sexual violence, and widespread looting. In contrast, the RSF has dismissed reports of the army’s progress as unfounded rumors, mirroring past denials during military setbacks.

Analysts indicate that recent military accomplishments stem from bolstered troop numbers and new weapon acquisitions. However, this return to control is not without drawbacks. Some Khartoum residents express valid concerns about potential retribution from the army against those who interacted with RSF forces for survival.

"The line between being a collaborator and merely trying to survive can be perilously thin in such times," Amir, a resident in the neighboring city of Omdurman, reflects as he worries about his cousin's fate, trapped between the conflicting powers.

As uncertainty looms over Khartoum's future, residents find themselves waiting for a resolution to a conflict that has become a living nightmare.