Violent confrontations erupted between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum on Monday, December 25, 2023, marked by heavy artillery shelling and explosions.
Simultaneously, Al Jazeera state witnessed looting and pillaging as RSF advanced towards South Sudan.
The Sudanese capital witnessed intense fighting involving heavy artillery and explosive detonations.
The clashes between the Sudanese Army and RSF signal a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, causing widespread concern and unrest in the region.
In Al Jazeera state, RSF members reportedly looted “everything” in the town of Al Aikoura amidst their southward advance, opening new fronts in the months-long war with the army.
Witnesses claimed that the RSF looted vehicles, commercial transport vehicles, and tractors, with residents fearful of retaliation as the forces progressed southwards.
The deadly battles that erupted in mid-April between the Sudanese Army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and RSF, led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, have displaced nearly 500,000 people from Khartoum to Al Jazeera state.
However, as RSF advanced, taking control of villages en route to Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazeera state, further displacement occurred.
Witnesses reported that warplanes bombed RSF gatherings north of Sennar, causing panic among locals.
The Sudanese Army, the only side in the conflict with air forces, contrasts with the RSF’s preference for mobile units using small trucks equipped with heavy machine guns.
The passage of RSF instilled fear among women and girls of sexual violence, a recurring threat in this conflict, as noted by the organization Save the Children.
In Al Hushaisha market, a journalist from Agence France-Presse observed open shop doors and scattered goods, indicative of looting activities.
Residents and business owners in markets such as Tamboul, one of the main commercial hubs in eastern Al Jazeera state, reported forced entry and random gunfire by RSF.
The testimonies raise questions about the intent and impact of RSF’s actions on the local population.
These developments reflect the ongoing turmoil in Sudan, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and raising international concerns.
The situation underscores the complexity of the conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to restore stability in the region.
