The Sudanese military used drones to strike the Al-Ma’moura and Al-Azhari districts southeast and south of Khartoum. These strikes aimed at targeting positions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Columns of smoke were seen rising from at least two sites in these areas, local sources reported to Al Jazeera.
The Sudanese military has been bombarding RSF gatherings in Khartoum with heavy artillery since early morning. The attacks originated from their positions north of the city of Omdurman. This escalation is part of a broader conflict involving the Sudanese Army and the RSF.
Omar Al-Khalifa Abdullah, Governor of White Nile State, stated that military arrangements were in place to protect the state’s entrances. These include checkpoints to counter what he termed as the RSF’s desperate attempts to enter the state.
In an interview with Sudanese Radio, the Governor mentioned military coordination efforts. These aim to dismantle RSF bases from Al-Qutaynah locality to Jabal Al-Awliya. He assured that security forces were alert and could not be taken by surprise.
The RSF had previously advanced from their control points in Jabal Al-Awliya, south of Khartoum. In December, they took control of Al-Qutaynah in White Nile State, about 200 kilometers north of the state capital.
On the political front, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali led Sudan’s delegation at the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala, Uganda.
During the summit, he presented Sudan’s statement, appreciating the efforts of the Movement’s founding fathers and affirming Sudan’s commitment to its principles.
The Foreign Minister highlighted that the Sudanese armed forces have been waging a just defensive war since April. He described this as a battle against an aggressive, transboundary militia targeting Sudan’s resources and aiming for demographic change. He affirmed the people’s support for their armed forces in this conflict.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Sudan’s commitment to a peaceful solution and stopping the war. He emphasized the aspiration for a democratic transition that serves the interests and dignity of the Sudanese people. He appealed to the Non-Aligned Movement countries to condemn the violations committed by the rebellious militia.
Since April 15, the war between the Sudanese Army, led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), continues.
The conflict has resulted in over 10,000 deaths, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), and caused the displacement of about 6 million people, as per the United Nations.
