Sudan Army Declares Khartoum State Free of RSF
The Sudanese army announced on Tuesday that it had successfully expelled rival paramilitaries from their final strongholds in Omdurman. Consequently, this achievement secures the entire Khartoum state nearly two months after recapturing the capital's center.
'We affirm that Khartoum state is completely free of rebels,' military spokesman Nabil Abdallah declared in a statement, referring to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been engaged in a brutal conflict with the regular army since April 2023. Strategic Victories and Ongoing Conflict
In its most significant victory since the war began, the army recaptured central Khartoum in March. This pushed the RSF to retreat to two remaining positions: Salha, south of Omdurman, and Ombada to the west. The army launched a 'large-scale offensive' on Monday to drive the RSF out of both areas. Explosions from the clashes echoed across the city, as reported by an AFP correspondent.
The RSF has not yet commented on the military's latest announcement. If confirmed, this would solidify army control over central Sudan, pushing the paramilitaries back towards their stronghold in the vast western region of Darfur. The war, now in its third year, pits the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF, under his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Humanitarian Crisis and International Response
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced 13 million people, creating what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. It has effectively split Africa's third-largest country in two, with the army holding the center, north, and east while the RSF controls nearly all of Darfur and parts of the south.
The latest battles around Khartoum come as both sides seek to install rival governments. On Monday, Burhan appointed former UN official Kamil Idris as prime minister, a move analysts see as an attempt to present a functioning civilian-led administration amid the ongoing war. Both the Arab League and the African Union have welcomed the appointment, with the former calling it an 'important step toward restoring the work of national civil institutions'. Escalating Violence
After a major battlefield victory in March, when the army recaptured most of Khartoum, the RSF this month launched attacks deep into army-held territory. Long-range drone strikes blamed on the paramilitaries have targeted key infrastructure in army-held northeastern Sudan, including the wartime capital Port Sudan and power stations supplying electricity to millions.
From their last remaining positions, the RSF had launched attacks across Khartoum, including drone strikes on three power stations that knocked out electricity in the capital last week. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that the local water network had been forced out of service, risking the spread of cholera in the city as residents 'will turn to different water sources'.
Short link :
Post Views: 14
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Internet partially restored in Iran: UK-based watchdog
Internet service was partially restored in Iran on Saturday, after Tehran imposed a blackout during its war with Israel, London-based online watchdog NetBlocks said. 'Metrics show a partial restoration in internet connectivity in Iran after a ~62 hour government-imposed shutdown,' NetBlocks posted on social media. 'However, service remains diminished in some areas and overall connectivity remains below ordinary levels,' the internet watchdog added. Iran on Thursday imposed a 'nationwide internet shutdown' according to NetBlocks, resulting in the most extensive blackout since widespread anti-government protests in 2019. On Saturday, access to the internet remained highly unstable and patchy in Tehran, with many websites still inaccessible, according to AFP journalists. Israel launched strikes over a week ago against Iran, claiming its long-time rival was close to developing a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies. The two arch-foes have since exchanged waves of deadly strikes, with the US mulling whether or not to enter the war. In Iran, people fleeing Israel's attacks described frightening scenes and difficult living conditions, including food shortages and limited internet access. Earlier on Saturday, NetBlocks said the internet shutdown had 'severely limit(ed) the public's ability to express political viewpoints, communicate freely, and follow safety alerts.'
Leaders
2 days ago
- Leaders
US Military Aircrafts Vanish from Qatar Base Amid Iran Tensions
Recent satellite images have revealed that a significant reduction in the number of US military aircraft at a major base in Qatar, indicating a strategic move to protect these assets from potential Iranian strikes. As tensions rise, Washington considers its response to the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Israel. Planet Labs PBC satellite images analyzed by AFP show that Nearly 40 planes, including C-130 transporters and reconnaissance jets, vanished between 5-19 June, leaving only three aircraft remaining visible. This drastic reduction raises questions about the US military's operational strategy in the region. Moreover, the US embassy in Qatar announced on Thursday restricting access to the base 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities.' The embassy urged personnel to 'exercise increased vigilance' amid escalating tensions. Additionally, the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether to support Israel's strikes on Iran. If the US intervenes, the Islamic Republic may retaliate by targeting US bases throughout the region. Vulnerability of US Forces Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, emphasized the vulnerability of personnel and aircraft at Al Udeid. He noted that the base's 'close proximity' to Iran poses significant risks. Schwartz explained that even minor damage could render aircraft 'non-mission capable.' The aircraft that have left the tarmac since early June may have been relocated to hangars or other bases in the region. A US defense official declined to discuss specific asset positioning but stated, 'We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality, and professionalism.' Increased Military Mobilization US forces in the Middle East have mobilized since Israel's initial strikes on Iran nearly a week ago. An additional aircraft carrier is en route, and significant aircraft movements have occurred. An analysis of open-source data tracking aircraft positioning revealed that at least 27 military refueling planes traveled from the United States to Europe between 15-18 June. As of late Wednesday, 25 of these planes remained in Europe, with only two returning to American soil, underscoring the heightened state of alert in the region. The sudden aircraft withdrawal reflects Washington's balancing act: shielding assets while navigating Israel's conflict with Iran. As Trump weighs intervention, every strategic shift, from Qatar to Europe, highlights the stakes of avoiding direct confrontation in a volatile region. Short link : Post Views: 17
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Al Arabiya
New series of strong blasts heard in east Tehran: AFP
A new series of strong blasts was heard Wednesday in east Tehran, an AFP journalist said, on the sixth day of the war between arch-nemeses Iran and Israel. At least five columns of smoke could be seen in the east and southeast of the Iranian capital, according to the journalist, who reported the blasts were heard around 3:50 pm (1220 GMT). The series of blasts was also heard shortly before 3:30 pm (1200 GMT), on the sixth day of the most intense exchange of fire between arch-foes Iran and Israel. Developing
