Al-Burhan inspects Sudanese troops in Omdurman following repelled RSF attack
August 24, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, made his first appearance in Omdurman since the eruption of war, hours after Sudanese forces successfully repulsed an assault on the Armoured Corps to the south of Khartoum.
On Wednesday, the Sudanese army dispatched reinforcements and, with the backing of the Air Force, managed to thwart an incursion by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the eastern sector of the expansive Armoured Corps headquarters, spanning 20 km.
In the early hours of Thursday, video clips and images emerged from the Sudanese army, showing al-Burhan amongst soldiers at the Wadi Sayedna military base, situated south of Omdurman. He also engaged with residents of the Karari suburb.
Addressing his soldiers in an impromptu speech, al-Burhan asserted, “Our armed forces are defending Sudan, not any particular party, faction, or group,” he said addressing accusations of alignment with Islamists.
This marks his first visit to Omdurman since April 15th; however, prior to this, he had made four appearances with his troops in Khartoum.
Al-Burhan’s appearance followed the Sudanese army’s declaration a day earlier, proclaiming their control over the Armoured Corps headquarters, and their successful repulsion of a forceful RSF attack on the site.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Sudanese military launched fierce counter-offensives against the RSF which had managed to breach the army’s defences along the eastern flank of the sprawling camp, a complex encompassing facilities such as a hospital and military penitentiary.
In response to the RSF’s utilization of residential rooftops around the camp for tactical advantage, military aircraft conducted strikes on these structures, aiming to neutralize threats within the eastern segment of the military compound.
Al-Burhan’s arrival in Omdurman, accompanied by a substantial contingent of forces, underscores the army’s accomplishment in curtailing the RSF’s deployment in the capital, subsequent to the onset of military operations in July.
“We are gearing up for a significant operation that will reassure our citizens, demonstrating the courage of Sudanese soldiers,” al-Burhan conveyed to his troops before departing.
The Sudanese army declined regional and international efforts to end the fight against the RSF, hoping to achieve a major victory before engaging in a political process to end the nearly five-month armed conflict.
(ST)