The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has announced that it has broken the siege imposed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Engineers Corps in Omdurman, west of the capital Khartoum. Video clips released by the army showed the arrival of the SAF Commander Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan in Omdurman.
In a statement, the army noted that the SAF forces successfully lifted the siege and united with army forces at the Engineers Corps base in western Omdurman for the first time since the conflict broke out. The chief of staff congratulated the Sudanese army’s command in Omdurman on the completion of the first phase of “the plan to clean Omdurman from the mercenaries of the RSF militia”.
Neighborhoods of Omdurman have reportedly been witnessing fierce battles, particularly around the city’s main market area. The army is actively working to encircle the RSF forces stationed near the National Radio and Television Corporation in central Omdurman. Social media platforms have shown extensive destruction in Omdurman’s main market due to the ongoing battles between the SAF and the RSF.
The deadly clashes between the two forces have persisted since April 15 of last year, resulting in a reported death toll of more than 13,000 individuals, according to recent estimates from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The situation in Omdurman remains volatile as the SAF continues its operations to regain control from the RSF militia. The Sudanese authorities have yet to provide specific details on the casualties and the extent of the destruction caused by the ongoing conflict. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely and is calling for an end to the violence to prevent further loss of life and destruction in the region.
