Sudanese army recaptures Blue Nile town, fighting rages in Khartoum

October 8, 2024 (AL-DAMAZIN/KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army retook a town in southeastern Blue Nile state from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Tuesday, the military said, as fighting between the warring factions intensified in parts of the capital Khartoum.

The army said it had “liberated” the town of Jariwa, which fell under RSF control in late June when the paramilitary group seized swathes of Sennar state, including its capital Sinjah, before pushing into the Blue Nile state.

Blue Nile state, including its capital Al-Damazin, has been under a tight RSF blockade, which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis and sharp price rises for basic goods due to blocked supply routes from Sennar.

The army statement said its forces inflicted heavy losses on the RSF in Jariwa, forcing the remaining fighters to flee. Jariwa is located in the Al-Tadamon district, bordering the Al-Dali and Al-Mazmum districts of Sennar state.

Khartoum clashes

Meanwhile, fighting raged in Khartoum, with witnesses reporting renewed clashes in the central Al-Mugran area. The army and RSF exchanged fire with various weapons, and military aircraft were seen overhead.

Having secured the Al-Silaah Al-Tibbi bridge, the Nile Tower, the Hilton Hotel, and the Al-Mugran gardens, the army is attempting to advance into central Khartoum, where its headquarters, the presidential palace, and key government buildings are located. However, RSF snipers are hampering their progress.

Sudanese army fighters released videos on Tuesday showing destroyed RSF tanks on Nile Street in Khartoum.

The army launched a major offensive on Sept. 26 to retake Khartoum and Bahri (Khartoum North), pushing from its bases in northern and southern Omdurman towards neighbourhoods including Al-Halfaya, Al-Kadru, and Al-Droushab and positions in central Khartoum.