Sudanese troops have made fresh advances in eastern Khartoum, edging closer to key strategic locations as fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensifies, military sources said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, thousands of civilians have fled their homes in Darfur amid escalating RSF attacks.
Army Gains Ground in Khartoum
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said they had captured several areas in the East Nile locality, securing positions near Al-Manshiya Bridge, a key crossing into central Khartoum. The advance comes amid ongoing clashes with the RSF, which seized large parts of the capital when fighting erupted in April 2023.
Army officials said their forces, supported by allied militias, were now within striking distance of the Presidential Palace and Tuti Island. “Our troops continue to advance towards the heart of Khartoum, and we will soon reclaim full control,” a military source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Fierce battles were reported in southern Khartoum and around army-held positions near Al-Hurriya Bridge. Witnesses described columns of smoke rising over multiple districts, while residents said artillery fire and airstrikes had intensified.
The army also claimed control of Station 13, a key location providing access to the Nasr and Huda neighborhoods. The RSF has not commented on the latest developments.
Mass Displacement in Darfur
As fighting rages in the capital, the humanitarian situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said more than 3,000 families have been displaced from Dar Al-Salam and Kalimando localities in North Darfur due to renewed RSF attacks.
“Over the past week, RSF forces have raided dozens of villages, looting property and forcing people to flee,” an IOM official said.
Local activists and humanitarian workers reported that at least 52 villages in Dar Al-Salam were attacked over the weekend, with many civilians seeking shelter in Zamzam displacement camp, 12 km south of El-Fasher, the regional capital.
The exodus follows an army-led ambush on an RSF supply convoy in late February, triggering retaliatory attacks. Since the conflict erupted, more than 605,000 people have fled North Darfur alone, according to U.N. estimates.
Health Centers Shut Down in Eastern Sudan
In a further blow to civilians, three health centers in eastern Sudan have shut down due to a lack of funding, leaving around 30,000 people without medical care, aid groups said.
The closures follow a decision by the U.S. government to freeze humanitarian aid to Sudan, citing concerns over the ongoing violence. The suspension has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with food shortages and health emergencies mounting.
No End in Sight
The war between the army and the RSF has plunged Sudan into a humanitarian catastrophe, with thousands killed and millions displaced. Peace talks mediated by regional and international actors have so far failed to yield a breakthrough.
Diplomatic efforts continue, but with both sides determined to secure territorial gains, the prospect of an immediate ceasefire remains slim.
