Sudan is witnessing another escalation in hostilities as fierce battles continue for the second consecutive day near the Presidential Palace in central Khartoum. Sudanese military sources reported ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), highlighting the growing volatility of the conflict. Meanwhile, the United Nations has issued a dire warning about the humanitarian situation, cautioning that the country is on the brink of an unprecedented disaster if the war does not come to an end soon.
Sudanese Military Advances in Key Areas
According to military sources speaking to Al Jazeera, the Sudanese army has successfully regained control over significant portions of the Halfa Koko district, located east of the Nile in greater Khartoum. The army reportedly launched a multi-front offensive, advancing from strategic positions in Kafouri and the Signal Corps sector. The primary objective of this maneuver is to push further south, securing the Al-Manshiya Bridge, a critical link between central and eastern Khartoum.
Videos circulating on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, show Sudanese army soldiers patrolling and securing key locations in Halfa Koko, underscoring the army’s push to reclaim control in contested zones of the capital.
UN Warns of a Potential Humanitarian Catastrophe
On the humanitarian front, the United Nations issued a stark warning on Thursday, emphasizing that Sudan is at risk of plunging into complete devastation. According to Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the situation is deteriorating rapidly, and if the war persists without urgent international intervention, the death toll could rise into the hundreds of thousands.
Türk painted a grim picture of the crisis, stating before the UN Human Rights Council, “I cannot overstate the severity of Sudan’s situation. The suffering endured by the Sudanese people is unimaginable, and immediate action is necessary to alleviate their plight.” He further stressed that the humanitarian emergency, triggered by the outbreak of hostilities in 2023, has evolved into the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
“We are looking into an abyss,” Türk added, cautioning that without decisive measures to halt the war, facilitate emergency aid, and restore agricultural activities, mass starvation is inevitable. He highlighted that over 600,000 Sudanese civilians are currently teetering on the edge of famine, with reports confirming that hunger has already reached critical levels in at least five regions, including the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.
Moreover, Türk expressed concern over the RSF’s recent efforts to establish governance structures in areas under its control, warning that such moves could deepen divisions and prolong hostilities. He also noted the alarming influx of advanced weaponry into Sudan from external actors, further fueling the protracted conflict.
Aid Suspension and Worsening Conditions
Türk’s warning follows the recent suspension of food aid distribution by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in a major displacement camp in North Darfur due to intensifying violence. The WFP cautioned that thousands of families could face extreme hunger in the coming weeks if the conflict continues to obstruct humanitarian operations.
Just days before the WFP’s decision, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) also announced the suspension of its activities in the Zamzam displacement camp after multiple RSF-led attacks targeting Sudanese military positions. Zamzam, one of Sudan’s largest internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, is home to nearly 400,000 people and has been a focal point of humanitarian efforts since its establishment in 2004 following the Darfur conflict. However, the resurgence of violence in April 2023 has severely exacerbated the camp’s dire conditions, with malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and limited access to essential supplies placing tens of thousands at risk.
Cholera Outbreak Claims Dozens of Lives
Amid the escalating conflict, Sudan is also grappling with a worsening cholera outbreak. The international organization Save the Children, citing Sudan’s Ministry of Health, reported on Thursday that at least 70 people have died from cholera in the southern regions over the past week alone. More than 2,200 cases have been recorded, with an alarming daily increase of approximately 400 infections in Kosti, one of the most severely affected areas.
Between February 20 and 26, Sudanese health authorities confirmed 2,243 cases of cholera in Kosti, with at least 70 fatalities. The situation remains critical, with humanitarian organizations warning that the disease could spread further if access to clean water, sanitation, and medical treatment remains disrupted due to the ongoing war.
A Country on the Brink
As fighting intensifies and the humanitarian crisis deepens, Sudan’s future hangs in the balance. With both the Sudanese military and the RSF showing no signs of de-escalation, millions of civilians are caught in the crossfire, facing displacement, starvation, and disease. The international community is under increasing pressure to intervene, but without an immediate ceasefire and comprehensive peace efforts, Sudan risks descending further into chaos, with catastrophic consequences for its people and the region at large.
