Fierce clashes erupt between Sudanese army and RSF in Khartoum North
May 31, 2024 (OMDURMAN) – Intense battles erupted on Friday between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in various parts of Khartoum North (Bahri) and Omdurman, marking a significant escalation of military operations in the capital.
In the early morning hours, large contingents of Sudanese army forces crossed the “Halfaya” bridge, connecting Omdurman and Khartoum Bahri, and penetrated deep into Khartoum North after destroying RSF positions on the bridge’s eastern side.
In a statement, Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdallah said, “The armed forces carried out a successful special operation at dawn today, destroying a large number of enemy vehicles and causing numerous casualties among the leaders and members of the Daglo’s militia. Our forces also managed to penetrate deep into enemy territory in Khartoum North and Halfaya.”
Abdallah reported that seven army soldiers were killed and 28 wounded.
The spokesperson did not specify the objective of the attack or why the attacking forces withdrew without retaining control of the areas they had captured, particularly the eastern bank of the bridge in Bahri City.
However, military sources indicated that the operation aimed to deliver critical supplies to forces stationed at the Signal Corps headquarters in Bahri, where the RSF controls most parts.
Meanwhile, RSF spokesperson Al-Fateh Qureshi announced that RSF forces in Khartoum North succeeded in shooting down an army helicopter on Friday.
He added that the downing of the military aircraft was part of battles in which the RSF completely repelled the enemy after they attempted to infiltrate Khartoum North, inflicting heavy losses in lives and equipment.
Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that clashes between the two forces were concentrated on Moore Street and the Halfaya farms, with all types of weapons being used. They reported hearing loud explosions and seeing plumes of smoke rising due to intense artillery shelling in areas of Khartoum North.
Simultaneously with the Halfaya battle, the army, stationed at the “Hatab” operational base, advanced to the Dardouq area north of Khartoum North after pushing RSF forces out of several areas north of the city.
Also, warplanes heavily bombarded RSF mobile forces coming from the East Nile and Khartoum areas.
The Signal Corps, located in the far south of Khartoum North, was attacked by the RSF on Thursday. However, the army’s advanced defences, supported by drones and heavy artillery, continued to repel these attacks.
In Omdurman, the Sudanese army continued its military operations to gain control over the entire west, clashing with the RSF in the areas of “Fataimab, Qariyat Sifr, Souq Al-Qish, and Hara 26,” all located at the border between the Karari locality in northern Omdurman and Umbada in the west.
The RSF still maintains a significant presence in Umbada locality, which is suffering from severe humanitarian conditions under the army’s siege, preventing the delivery of food and medical supplies from areas north of Omdurman.