Sudanese army escalates airstrikes in North Darfur and Khartoum

May 28, 2024 (El FASHER/KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) intensified airstrikes on Tuesday, targeting the town of Kutum in North Darfur and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) positions in Bahri, north of Khartoum.

The military’s offensive aimed to disrupt RSF reinforcements heading towards El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, where fierce battles have raged for over two weeks. The RSF, vying for control of the city, the army’s last stronghold in the region, has been engaged in intense clashes with the army and allied armed movements.

Eyewitnesses in Kutum, northwest of El-Fasher, reported to Sudan Tribune that the airstrikes were the most intense yet, resulting in civilian casualties and hitting the town’s main hospital, which the RSF had repurposed for treating their wounded.

Military sources revealed to Sudan Tribune that the RSF had evacuated numerous injured soldiers, including field commanders, to Kutum Monday. The town has been under RSF control since the conflict’s onset, with residents accusing the group of widespread violations against civilians.

Concurrently, the military ramped up airstrikes on suspected RSF positions in Khartoum Bahri, targeting areas in Kober, Halfiya, Shambat farms, and the DAL Company headquarters, which the RSF has converted into a military base. Eyewitnesses reported loud explosions and plumes of smoke emanating from the targeted sites.