As Sudan grapples with ongoing conflict between the army and paramilitary forces, a sniper team commander reveals the harsh realities of war from a strategic vantage point. This article delves into the deteriorating conditions of Khartoum and the battles for power amidst devastation.
Sudan's Sniper's Perspective: A War-Torn City Through the Commander’s Eyes
Sudan's Sniper's Perspective: A War-Torn City Through the Commander’s Eyes
Inside the sniper's nest, Sergeant Major Ismail Hassan watches over the capital's front line, reflecting on a tumultuous journey from democracy to civil war.
In the heart of Sudan's conflict, a sniper team commander, Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan, takes his position in a makeshift nest atop a luxury apartment building, now transformed into a front-line observation point. Facing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) across the Blue Nile lies the presidential palace—symbolizing the political power struggle engulfing the nation.
This apartment’s once opulent interiors bear the scars of war, with bullet marks staining the walls and missing light bulbs creating an environment steeped in shadow. As Sgt. Maj. Hassan contemplates the battlefield, his shooting gear rests within reach, while his men find scarce rest in the building's deeper halls, away from the chaos outside.
March 12 marked a turning point in this drawn-out conflict. Nearly two years after a military coup set off a civil war, the northern bank of the Blue Nile has become the front line for fierce confrontations. Observers note that the army has lost substantial ground to the R.S.F., which captured much of Khartoum in April 2023.
Recent months have seen a counteroffensive by the army and its allied militias gradually reclaim strategic areas of the city, culminating in a significant victory; the military announced it has recaptured the presidential palace. However, despite these advances, the prospects of enduring peace remain pessimistic, with analysts predicting that the urban wasteland left in the wake of the fighting will take years to recover.
As fighting continues, conditions in Khartoum deteriorate, marking a stark juxtaposition to the city’s prior aspirations towards a democratic future. Amid this turmoil, the lives of citizens hang in a delicate balance.
