Massive fire breaks out in south Khartoum after clashes over ammunition factory
June 7, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – A massive fire erupted at the gas depots in southern Khartoum on Wednesday, following intense battles over the control of the Yarmouk ammunition factory involving the use of heavy weapons and warplanes.
The fighting in the southern outskirts of Khartoum has been concentrated in the areas of Gabra, al-Shajara, and Abu Adam, which have been witnessing skirmishes since the beginning of the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF attempted to seize military positions in these areas.
These three neighbourhoods encompass the Yarmouk industrial complex, the largest weapons and ammunition factory in Sudan, significant warehouses for fuel and gas storage, and the management of the armoured corps.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, the Rapid Support Forces declared they had taken control of the Yarmouk munitions factory. However, eyewitnesses reported that the army was able to retake control of the ammunition factory in the afternoon after receiving reinforcements.
Residents from neighbourhoods near the Yarmouk factory also released a video seen by Sudan Tribune showing a sizeable Sudanese army force in the streets, indicating that the troops were leaving after defeating the RSF fighters.
Following hit-and-run battles, airstrikes were conducted targeting the paramilitary forces south of Khartoum. The objective of the attack was presumed to be clearing the area of remaining RSF elements and preventing future attacks, considering the proximity of the armoured corps.
The Sudanese army did not issue a statement regarding the military operations in the areas south of Khartoum.
Meanwhile, the flames from the fire engulfing the gas depots in the Al-Shajara area were visible from approximately 15 kilometres.
The resistance committee in the Abu Adam area announced that the airstrikes hit gas and fuel depots, resulting in large fires breaking out in the area. The committee had previously confirmed hit-and-run operations between the army forces and the Rapid Support militia in the warehouse area and several squares in Abu Adam.
In a separate development, clashes resumed on Wednesday between the warring parties in Buri and Sharq al-Nil, east of the capital.
Sudanese warplanes bombed positions of the Rapid Support Forces in the Al-Muwaileh livestock market, west of Omdurman, on Wednesday morning.
Since Monday, the army has deployed additional troops south of Omdurman and conducted sweeping operations there.
(ST)