Sudan army destroys 4,500 mines, shells near Khartoum

August 16, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s army on Saturday destroyed 4,500 landmines, shells and other munitions near the capital Khartoum as part of a major operation to clear ordnance left from fighting with paramilitary forces, a military official said.

The controlled detonation at the Wadi Seidna military base is the second large-scale disposal since the army recaptured Khartoum state from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The army has been clearing unexploded ordnance and mines, including internationally banned anti-personnel mines, that it says were planted by the RSF.

“The centre carried out the detonation and destruction of 4,500 projectiles and anti-tank landmines,” Major General Khalid Hamdan, director of the National Mine Action Centre, said in a press statement.

He said the centre plans to dispose of a total of 50,000 items this month, while collection efforts continue. In July, authorities destroyed approximately 14,000 projectiles.

At least 49 people have been killed and 51 injured by unexploded ordnance since the fighting in the capital subsided, according to official figures.

Hamdan said demining teams were widely deployed in response to constant reports from the public. He warned citizens to stay away from an anti-personnel minefield discovered in central Khartoum’s Sunt Forest, which he said was too dangerous to move and would have to be detonated in place.

He also appealed to residents not to touch any unexploded shells found in their homes.