The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) continued their offensive in the capital, Khartoum, on Saturday, intensifying military operations against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). At least 10 RSF fighters were killed in fierce clashes in the Al-Haj Yousif district, located east of the Nile, as the army pushed forward in multiple strategic locations.
Sudanese Army Targets RSF Strongholds
As part of its ongoing campaign to regain control over key areas, the army launched heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling on RSF positions in various parts of the capital and beyond. Military sources reported that Sudanese fighter jets bombed RSF locations in Khartoum and Bara, a city north of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. Meanwhile, ground forces advanced on multiple fronts in the East Nile area, where they reportedly captured an advanced electronic jamming system used by the RSF.
Eyewitnesses in Khartoum confirmed that the army had escalated its bombardment of RSF-held zones, particularly in the East Nile region. Intense shelling was reported in residential areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as civilians found themselves trapped in the crossfire. The army’s strategy appears to be aimed at weakening RSF’s control over urban areas through relentless artillery barrages.
Tensions Escalate in North Darfur
Meanwhile, in the conflict-ridden region of Darfur, the Sudanese army accused the RSF of launching aerial and artillery strikes against its positions in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. According to military officials, RSF forces used drones and heavy artillery to target Sudanese army camps in the city. These attacks have heightened fears of further escalation in an already volatile region, where the war has led to massive displacement and deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
RSF Vows to Continue Fighting Indefinitely
Despite sustaining losses on multiple fronts, RSF leadership remains defiant. RSF spokesperson Fateh Qurashi declared that his forces would continue fighting indefinitely, vowing that the paramilitary group would not back down regardless of battlefield setbacks. He emphasized that the RSF remains well-armed and fully equipped with military hardware, describing the conflict as an “existential battle” for the paramilitary group.
Qurashi’s remarks reflect the deepening deadlock between the two warring factions, as neither side appears willing to negotiate an end to the violence. His statement comes amid speculation that the RSF has been receiving external support, allowing it to maintain its operational capabilities despite relentless SAF offensives.
Ongoing Conflict with No Resolution in Sight
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has devastated Sudan’s cities and infrastructure, with thousands killed and millions displaced. The conflict has transformed Khartoum into a battleground, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Meanwhile, efforts to broker a ceasefire or initiate peace talks have repeatedly failed, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
As the fighting escalates, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, facing shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Humanitarian agencies warn that the situation is worsening, with many residents unable to flee due to ongoing clashes and roadblocks imposed by both warring factions.
With the Sudanese army advancing on multiple fronts and the RSF determined to resist, the conflict shows no signs of abating. The coming weeks may see even more intense battles as both sides seek to gain the upper hand in a war that has plunged Sudan into one of the worst crises in its modern history.
