Sudan's conflict escalates, humanitarian crisis worsens

According to local sources, the sound of small arms fire, airstrikes, and artillery can be heard in Omdurman and the capital Khartoum, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and raising concerns of regional involvement.

The army has not immediately responded to the RSF's claims of shooting down an army drone and a warplane in Bahri. Local residents express fear and describe the escalating strikes in northern Omdurman as terrifying.

While the army focuses on aerial and artillery strikes, the RSF dominates the capital and faces allegations of looting and occupying homes.

General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the army's leader, called on young men to take up arms against the RSF. The army has also shared images of what they claim to be new recruits.

The Sudanese Doctors Union accuses the RSF of raiding Shuhada hospital, resulting in the death of a staff member. The RSF denies these allegations.

The conflict has also affected cities in the western Kordofan and Darfur regions, particularly El Geneina, where the RSF and Arab militias have been accused of engaging in ethnic cleansing.

Reports from the Combating Violence Against Women Unit indicate that 88 cases of sexual assault have been documented in South Darfur, with the majority of victims blaming the RSF. However, this number likely represents only a fraction of the actual incidents.

Previous talks sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia were canceled, and the army criticized an East African-led mediation effort due to allegations of bias against Kenya.

Although no formal initiatives have been announced, both General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Malik Agar, his deputy on the nation's Sovereign Council, expressed openness to mediation attempts by Türkiye and Russia. (ILKHA)