Sudanese army advances in Khartoum Bahri
October 23, 2024 (OMDURMAN) The Sudanese army and its allies made slow progress on Saturday in extending their control within Khartoum Bahri, where residents face a worsening humanitarian situation and critical medicine shortages.
This advance is part of a military operation launched in Khartoum on Sept. 26. The army has successfully gained control of neighbourhoods in north Khartoum Bahri and locations in central Khartoum before expanding operations to Sennar, Al Jazirah, and Darfur.
A military source told Sudan Tribune he fought alongside the army against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Shambat, Khartoum Bahri, where they secured control of locations including Al-Mashreq University.
He noted that fierce fighting erupted on Al-Ingaz Street, and anticipates the army will gain control of more areas in the coming days, following the withdrawal of most RSF fighters to the east bank of the Nile.
The east bank of the Nile is considered the RSF’s main stronghold in Khartoum, an area they have controlled since the conflict began.
The army has adopted a strategy of cutting off enemy supply routes, enabling it to gain control of the Al-Halfaya, Al-Samrab, and Al-Kadru neighbourhoods north of Khartoum Bahri, as well as the strategic Jebel Moya area and the city of Al-Dandar in Sennar state.
Army supporters on social media reported the army has seized control of locations near the Shambat Bridge, which connects Khartoum Bahri and Omdurman. The bridge was bombed months ago, with both sides trading accusations of responsibility.
In the Al-Samrab neighbourhoods north of Khartoum Bahri, volunteers reported that dozens of people have died in recent days due to diseases and lack of access to medicine.
On Monday, the Shambat Emergency Room reported a humanitarian and health disaster in the area due to disease outbreaks, particularly cholera and dengue fever, coupled with a severe shortage of medicines and intravenous fluids.
The Emergency Room stated that fatalities are increasing in the area, and due to restricted movement, “the squares of the neighbourhoods have become mass graves.”