According to a statement made on Saturday by the Khartoum state health ministry, the Sudanese army’s air strike on western Omdurman resulted in at least 22 fatalities and countless injuries.
This horrific occurrence takes place as the nation’s military conflict enters its 12th week, worsening an already dire situation.
Sudanese Army’s Air Strike Claims 22 Lives in Omdurman
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) swiftly gained control over the capital city of Khartoum, as well as its sister cities, Omdurman and Bahri, when hostilities erupted on April 15.
However, the army has since retaliated with air and artillery strikes, resulting in devastating consequences for the affected areas.
The ongoing conflict, marked by the absence of successful mediation efforts, poses a significant risk of dragging the country into a broader civil war.
This would not only involve internal actors but could also draw in external forces in the East African nation, strategically situated between the Horn of Africa, Sahel, and Red Sea.
The tensions between the two opposing sides had been steadily escalating in the months leading up to the outbreak of war, primarily driven by disputes over the chain of command and the integration of their respective forces under a new democratic transition.
The federal health ministry reports that the fighting has claimed the lives of at least 1,133 individuals, with violence erupting not only in the capital but also in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, leading to ethnic conflicts in West Darfur state.
The impact of the conflict has resulted in the displacement of over 2.9 million people, including nearly 700,000 individuals who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
Furthermore, more than half of the capital city has been affected by the conflict’s devastating consequences.
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Humanitarian Concerns Mount as Conflict Escalates in Sudan
Disturbingly, aid agencies have reported “alarming numbers” of rape and abduction cases targeting women and girls, adding another layer of humanitarian crisis to an already dire situation.
In recent days, the focus of the fighting has shifted to Omdurman, as the western part of the city serves as a vital supply route for the RSF to bring reinforcements from their power base in Darfur.
In addition to strikes on Omdurman, including an overnight attack on Friday, the country’s state broadcasting complex in eastern Omdurman has also become a target.
Overnight strikes have also been reported in southern and eastern parts of Khartoum.
The army, in a Facebook post, claimed that special forces had eliminated 20 “rebel soldiers” and destroyed their weaponry.
However, the ongoing violence and its devastating impact on the population highlight the urgent need for a resolution and the restoration of peace in Sudan.
Efforts to bring stability and foster dialogue between the conflicting parties must be intensified to prevent further loss of life and the worsening of the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the nation.
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