Sudanese army, RSF engage in fierce clashes in Khartoum
November 23, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – On Thursday, the Sudanese Army Air Force intensified its air sorties south of Khartoum, while the intensity of artillery shelling between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) increased in several areas of Khartoum, resulting in casualties and injuries.
Military aircraft bombed RSF positions in the vicinity of the Sports City, south of Khartoum, on Thursday evening, and in the area south of the belt, which includes the Al-Azhari and Mayo neighbourhoods.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames rising from multiple locations south and west of the Sports City, and RSF soldiers were seen quickly evacuating the area.
Military aircraft also bombed RSF sites in the Al-Manshiya neighbourhood, east of Khartoum, near the Al-Manshiya Bridge linking Khartoum and the East Nile locality.
The escalation of fighting in Khartoum comes after the RSF seized control of the Jabal Aulia area, despite the destruction of the bridge that serves as a critical supply route from western Sudan.
Simultaneously, the RSF are mobilizing in Darfur, preparing to launch an attack on the North Darfur capital El Fasher, while armed movements aligned with the Sudanese army are massing tribal fighters to counter any foreseen assaults.
In northern Omdurman, an exchange of artillery shelling led to a shell landing inside a mosque in the Al-Thawra neighbourhood. Clashes between the two parties in the vicinity of the Corps of Engineers, involving heavy and light weaponry, resulted in one death from a stray bullet.
North of Khartoum Bahri, in the Shambat al-Arada neighbourhood, one person was killed and another injured due to artillery shelling from army forces stationed in Omdurman.
The army also targeted RSF positions in Khartoum Bahri and Jabra, south of Khartoum, as well as in the old neighbourhoods of Omdurman.
In response, the RSF retaliated with artillery fire from Khartoum Bahri and west Omdurman towards the army’s concentrations in northern Omdurman.
The escalating conflict has severely hampered humanitarian aid distribution efforts, despite the humanitarian commitments signed by both parties on November 7.
International organizations have expressed grave concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in Omdurman, one of the most densely populated areas of the tri-capital region.
(ST)