Sudanese Army Tightens Grip on Khartoum Airport Amid Ongoing Conflict

Sudanese Army Tightens Grip on Khartoum Airport Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Sudanese army is currently encircling Khartoum airport, according to two military sources who spoke to Reuters. This strategic maneuver aims to expel the rival Rapid Support Forces from their last stronghold in the capital, highlighting that the conflict is far from resolution.

Last Friday, the army captured the presidential palace located in downtown Khartoum. This significant development marks a symbolic victory after two turbulent years characterized by escalating violence, which has resulted in a fragmented country and rival zones of control.

The army announced on Wednesday that it had taken control of the Tiba al-Hassanab camp, situated to the south of Khartoum. This camp is regarded as the RSF’s final base in central Sudan and a key stronghold within Khartoum State.

Rapid Support Forces Focus Maneuvers in Southern Khartoum

Military sources revealed that the Sudanese army is encircling the airport along with the surrounding areas, intensifying the focus on battlegrounds within the city. Witness accounts indicate that RSF forces have concentrated their troops in southern Khartoum. This apparent strategy aims to facilitate their withdrawal from the city via bridges to Omdurman, another city nearby.

Recent military advancements in central Sudan include the recovery of various districts within the capital. Meanwhile, the RSF continues to solidify its dominance in western Sudan, fortifying their positions and potentially pushing the nation toward a divided state.

The ongoing conflict erupted two years ago as Sudan embarked on a challenging path toward democratic governance. The United Nations has labeled the situation as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Consequently, famine conditions are rampant, coupled with alarming outbreaks of various diseases.

The Human Toll of the Conflict

The civil strife has forcibly displaced over 12.5 million individuals, many of whom have fled to neighboring nations in search of safety. This humanitarian disaster lays bare the dire consequences of prolonged violence in Sudan.

Previously, the army and RSF operated within a tenuous partnership. Together, they staged a coup in 2021, derailing Sudan’s transition away from the Islamist regime of Omar al-Bashir. Bashir was a long-time autocrat who was ousted in 2019, marking a significant turn in Sudan’s political landscape.

For years, both factions fought alongside one another in the western region of Darfur, under Bashir’s dictatorial rule. The RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, evolved from the infamous janjaweed militias in Darfur. The formation of the RSF served as Bashir’s strategic counterbalance to the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a career military officer.

Conflict Over Power and Control

Since seizing control together in 2021, both sides have encountered tensions regarding an internationally supported initiative aimed at launching a new transitional government involving civilian groups. This plan requires both factions to relinquish certain powers.

Key points of contention have included a timeline for the RSF’s integration into the regular armed forces, the command hierarchy between army and RSF leaders, and the provision for civilian oversight. These issues heightened the discord between the groups.

At the outset of hostilities, the Sudanese army possessed superior resources, notably in terms of air power. However, the RSF had established a deeper presence in neighborhoods throughout Khartoum. This positioning enabled them to maintain significant control over much of the capital during the initial phases of a devastating outbreak of violence.

Furthermore, the RSF swiftly advanced to secure their primary stronghold in Darfur and expanded their influence over El Gezira state, a crucial agricultural zone located south of Khartoum.

Army’s Efforts to Regain Authority

With the army now re-establishing its foothold within the capital, it is actively undertaking efforts to strengthen its control over central Sudan. As the conflict continues to evolve, the ramifications of these military actions will undoubtedly impact Sudan’s future governance and stability.

Given the current circumstances and the deepening humanitarian crisis, international observers are closely monitoring developments. The ongoing clash threatens to reshape the political landscape in Sudan, as multiple factions vie for control over a nation in turmoil.