Sudan's Capital Gripped by Shelling and Looting in Eighth Week of Conflict

The fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated significantly after the ceasefire agreement, facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the U.S., expired late on Saturday.

Over 1.2 million individuals have been displaced within Sudan as a result of the war, and approximately 400,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring nations. The conflict has caused significant destruction in the capital, leaving the remaining residents vulnerable to battles, air strikes, and looting.

Residents have informed that fighting continued for a second consecutive day in the three cities comprising Sudan's broader capital, namely Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri. Unusual ground clashes were reported in Omdurman, along with instances of shelling and fighting in the East Khartoum district and the southern outskirts of the capital.

A 37-year-old resident, Mohamed Saleh said, ‘The neighbourhood where we live in the centre of Omdurman is looted publicly on a daily basis without anyone intervening to prevent it, with clashes and shelling continuing around us.’

According to Waleed Adam, a resident of the Khartoum East area, the troops belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have established their presence throughout various neighbourhoods in the capital and are engaging in widespread looting activities, exerting full control over the area.

In a phone conversation with Reuters, he said, ‘You see them right in front of you, taking cars, money, gold – whatever they can get their hands on. I guess it’s just a matter of time until they come to my street.’

The RSF claims that it has been actively engaged in safeguarding civilians by apprehending individuals involved in looting activities.

A portion of those who have fled the war have sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR). However, these countries are already grappling with poverty, conflict, and a decline in humanitarian assistance, further exacerbating their challenging circumstances.

During a press briefing in Geneva, Mohamed Ag Ayoya, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for the Central African Republic (CAR), stated that the influx of approximately 14,000 individuals in the northeastern part of CAR, coupled with the suspension of cross-border trade, ‘puts additional pressure on the limited resources available to the 130,000 extremely vulnerable people in the region.’

The war has also sparked turmoil in Darfur, located in the western part of Sudan, exacerbating an already dire situation in the region. Darfur had already experienced significant displacement as a result of prior conflicts. In recent times, residents in various cities and towns have reported assaults by militias associated with Arab nomadic tribes.

According to activists who monitor the region, in the past few days, a minimum of 40 individuals lost their lives and dozens sustained injuries in Kutum, located in North Darfur State. Residents have additionally raised concerns about rampant looting and a prevailing sense of insecurity in the area.

On Monday, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whose stronghold lies in Darfur and whose roots can be traced back to the Arab-dominated militias, released a video claiming to have seized control of the army headquarters in Kutum. Kutum is a major commercial centre and one of the larger towns in the state.

The army has not provided an immediate comment regarding the situation. On Sunday, the army had refuted claims that the RSF had captured the town.