Sudan, once poised for a promising transition to civilian rule after decades of dictatorship, now finds itself in the grip of a brutal conflict that has ravaged its cities, displaced millions and plunged the country into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The battle for control between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group with deep roots in the nation’s history of violence, has turned the capital Khartoum, and other major cities into war zones.
The 17-month-long conflict, marked by artillery strikes, air raids, and street-level combat, has seen both sides vying for strategic control of Sudan’s capital and its vital infrastructure. The SAF, under the leadership of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has struggled to regain footing in Khartoum, which fell to RSF forces early in the conflict.
The situation has deteriorated in recent weeks, with the army launching its most aggressive offensive in months, seeking to dislodge the entrenched RSF fighters from key urban areas. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts have stalled, with international mediation attempts yielding little progress toward a ceasefire.
The Genesis of the Conflict
The origins of the current conflict can be traced to long-standing tensions between the Sudanese army and the RSF. Both factions had shared power following their 2021 coup, which toppled Sudan’s fragile civilian government after the ouster of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The power struggle between these former allies came to a head in April 2023, when fighting erupted in Khartoum. The RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, rapidly gained control of much of the capital, leveraging its mobility and deep ties to militia networks across the country.
The RSF’s rise in power is tied to its origins in the Janjaweed militias, infamous for their role in the Darfur conflict during the early 2000s. Over time, these militias were formalized into the RSF, which became a key player in Sudan’s political landscape, operating alongside the army but maintaining its chain of command and extensive financial networks. The tensions between these two factions, both vying for dominance, were exacerbated by international efforts to transition Sudan toward civilian rule, leading to a deadly standoff.
The Security Situation in Khartoum
As the fighting rages on, Khartoum, once the political and economic heart of Sudan, has been transformed into a battleground. Witnesses on the ground report daily bombardments, with artillery fire and airstrikes shaking the city as the SAF attempts to reclaim territory. The most recent offensive, launched by the army in September 2024, has been the most intense since the early days of the conflict. Military sources describe it as a “final push” to regain control of key neighborhoods in the greater Khartoum area, including Bahri and Omdurman.
On the morning of Thursday, September 25, army units crossed the Nile from Omdurman, attempting to establish a foothold in RSF-held parts of Bahri. The offensive was accompanied by heavy artillery bombardments targeting RSF positions in Shambat and Halfaya, two neighborhoods critical to the RSF’s control of Bahri. Residents of Bahri describe the sound of explosions reverberating through the streets as thick black smoke rose from buildings struck by airstrikes. The RSF, however, claims to have repelled the army’s advance, holding key bridges that link the three cities of Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman.
The SAF’s strategy relies heavily on airpower, with fighter jets and drones conducting regular sorties over the capital. These airstrikes, while effective in damaging RSF infrastructure, have also resulted in significant civilian casualties. Hospitals and schools have been hit, and entire neighborhoods have been flattened. The RSF, for its part, has embedded itself deeply within residential areas, using the civilian population as a shield against aerial attacks. This has made it difficult for the army to mount a full-scale ground offensive without risking further civilian deaths.
Civilian Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
The human cost of the conflict has been staggering. The United Nations estimates that more than 10 million people have been displaced by the fighting, with large swathes of the population facing extreme hunger and famine. Civilians trapped in Khartoum and other conflict zones face daily dangers, from stray bullets to targeted attacks by armed groups. The RSF has been accused of using brutal tactics to maintain its hold on the capital, including summary executions, sexual violence, and forced disappearances.
According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), RSF forces have committed widespread atrocities, particularly in the Darfur region, but increasingly in the capital as well. Civilians, particularly women and young men, have been targeted for abduction, torture, and execution. The SAF, while focusing its efforts on retaking key areas of the capital, has also been accused of indiscriminate shelling, which has killed and injured thousands of civilians.
The health infrastructure in Khartoum has all but collapsed. Hospitals, already stretched thin due to years of underfunding and neglect, have been overwhelmed by the influx of wounded civilians. Medical supplies are running out, and power outages are common, leaving many facilities unable to operate. Aid agencies have struggled to deliver assistance to those in need, as both the SAF and RSF restrict access to key areas. As the fighting intensifies, the humanitarian situation continues to worsen, with no end in sight.
A City Under Siege
Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city across the Nile, has witnessed some of the fiercest fighting of the conflict. While the SAF managed to reclaim parts of Omdurman earlier in the year, the RSF has maintained a strong presence in several strategic areas, using the city as a base for operations against Khartoum. The battle for Omdurman is crucial, as control of the city would allow the SAF to cut off RSF supply lines and regain access to key routes leading to the capital.
In recent weeks, the army has ramped up its offensive in Omdurman, launching a series of airstrikes targeting RSF positions in the city’s industrial zones and residential areas. These strikes, while devastating for the RSF, have also resulted in significant civilian casualties. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, and thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian organizations report that food and water supplies are running dangerously low, and the city is on the brink of a full-scale humanitarian disaster.
Despite the army’s efforts, the RSF has proven to be a formidable adversary. Its fighters, many of whom are battle-hardened veterans of the Darfur conflict, are adept at guerrilla warfare, using hit-and-run tactics to harass army units and disrupt supply lines. The RSF’s ability to blend into the local population has made it difficult for the SAF to dislodge them without causing significant civilian harm. As a result, the battle for Omdurman has turned into a protracted and bloody stalemate.
The Northern Front
To the north of Khartoum lies Bahri, a city that has become a critical battleground in the fight for control of the capital. The RSF captured much of Bahri in the early days of the conflict, using it as a staging ground for attacks on Khartoum and Omdurman. The city’s proximity to the Nile makes it a key strategic location, and both sides have fought fiercely for control of its bridges and river crossings.
In recent weeks, the SAF has intensified its efforts to retake Bahri, launching a series of artillery and airstrikes aimed at RSF positions near the river. The army has also attempted several ground assaults, but these have been largely unsuccessful, as the RSF has dug in deep, fortifying key positions and using civilians as human shields. The situation in Bahri remains fluid, with both sides claiming victories in various parts of the city.
For civilians in Bahri, the security situation is dire. The city has been cut off from much of the outside world, with food, water, and medical supplies running dangerously low. Those who remain in the city live in constant fear of bombardments, as artillery shells and airstrikes frequently hit residential areas. The RSF has also been accused of looting and extortion, further exacerbating the suffering of the local population.
The Battle for Al-Fashir and the Darfur Crisis
While the capital remains the focal point of the conflict, fighting has also intensified in other parts of Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region. The city of al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state, has become a major flashpoint, as the RSF seeks to extend its control over the region. Al-Fashir is one of the last remaining army holdouts in Darfur, and its fall would mark a significant victory for the RSF.
The fighting in al-Fashir has been brutal, with both sides accused of targeting civilians in their quest for control. The UN has raised alarms over the potential for ethnic violence, as the RSF and its allied militias have a history of targeting non-Arab populations in Darfur.
The humanitarian situation in the city is dire, with more than 1.8 million residents and displaced people trapped by the fighting. The UN and other international organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid to reach those in need, but these pleas have largely fallen on deaf ears.
Diplomatic Efforts and the Way Forward
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the conflict in Sudan shows no signs of abating. Diplomatic efforts, led by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the African Union, have repeatedly faltered, as both sides refuse to back down from their positions. The failure of negotiations has led to increased pressure on the international community to impose sanctions on both the SAF and RSF, in an attempt to force them to the negotiating table.
However, sanctions alone are unlikely to end the conflict. Both the army and the RSF have significant financial and military support from regional actors, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. These alliances have complicated efforts to broker a peace deal, as external actors continue to provide arms and financial backing to their favored factions. Without a concerted international effort to cut off these support networks, the conflict is likely to drag on, with devastating consequences for the people of Sudan.
The conflict in Sudan has reached a critical juncture. As the SAF launches its most aggressive offensive yet to retake Khartoum, the RSF remains entrenched, determined to hold onto its gains. The fighting has devastated the country, with millions of civilians caught in the crossfire and facing a dire humanitarian crisis. The international community must redouble its efforts to broker a ceasefire and bring both sides to the negotiating table before the conflict spirals further out of control. Until then, the people of Sudan will continue to suffer, trapped in a war with no end in sight.