Sudan’s military has broken a nearly two-year siege by the RSF on el-Obeid, reclaiming strategic territories in recent offensives. The military’s advances, however, come amid ongoing humanitarian crises and severe allegations of war crimes against both factions. The RSF’s efforts to establish a parallel government may further complicate the situation as territorial control remains divided in the nation.
Sudan’s military announced on Sunday the successful breaking of an almost two-year siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) around el-Obeid, a key commercial and transportation hub. This military achievement represents a crucial advance in the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Additionally, the army reclaimed the town of el-Gitaina, the final RSF stronghold in the White Nile province, although the RSF has yet to respond to these claims.
The violence in Sudan erupted in April 2023 following escalating tensions between the army and RSF. The conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced at least 12 million people, resulting in a worsening humanitarian crisis. Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah stated that the army has reopened the road to el-Obeid, signaling a return to normalcy for the North Kordofan provincial capital, and inflicted losses on the RSF.
Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim called the military’s success in el-Obeid a major step toward lifting the RSF’s siege on el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and facilitating humanitarian assistance to Kordofan. Since September, military operations have yielded significant territorial gains against the RSF, with key areas including the main military headquarters being retaken, and efforts are underway to reclaim the Republican Palace.
Alongside these developments, the military also regained control of Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira province, as well as Sudan’s largest oil refinery. These military advances suggest that the army is gaining the upper hand as the conflict drags on with no immediate resolution in sight. The conflict has been marred by serious allegations of war crimes, including mass rapes and ethnically targeted killings, as reported by the UN and human rights organizations.
Both military leaders, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), face sanctions from the US due to reported abuses, which include accusations of genocide against the RSF. The RSF and army have both denied these allegations. On the same day as the army’s advancements, the RSF signed a political charter intending to create a parallel government, heightening fears of further fragmentation of Sudan amid ongoing violence. Currently, the military controls much of northern and eastern Sudan while the RSF holds parts of the western Darfur region and southern areas.
The Sudanese army’s recent advances in el-Obeid and other strategic locations highlight significant progress against the RSF in the ongoing civil war. Despite these military successes, the conflict continues to result in humanitarian crises and severe human rights violations, raising concerns about further fragmentation of the nation amidst political maneuvering. With both sides wary of potential accusations and threats, the path forward remains uncertain as humanitarian needs escalate.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
