Sudan’s army and RSF brace for renewed fighting in Bahri

January 6, 2025 (KHARTOUM BAHRI) – The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are mobilizing for a potential escalation of fighting in the city of Bahri, north of Khartoum, residents and sources said.

According to witnesses, the RSF has amassed a significant presence in the Al-Hijra neighbourhood of Shambat, the Kafouri area, and the East Nile locality. This buildup comes as the army attempts to push further into the city to reach its troops stationed at the Signal Corps base.

“The RSF has been moving troops from Al-Nasr, Soba, and Al-Jreif since Friday,” a resident of East Nile told Sudan Tribune. “We fear intense fighting is imminent.”

The army gained control of the entrance to the Halfaya Bridge in late September and has been steadily advancing since. However, their progress has been hampered by RSF resistance, particularly around the strategically important Hijaz Towers, which the army captured in December.

The RSF, which has held Bahri since the conflict began in April 2023, is reportedly planning a counteroffensive to retake lost ground, including the area around Martyr Matar Street, a key artery in the city.

Both sides have deployed snipers and heavy artillery, and residents report frequent exchanges of fire, as well as the use of drones and warplanes. Many neighbourhoods in Shambat have been emptied of civilians as the army secures areas block by block.

“The RSF has snipers positioned on every building overlooking Martyr Matar Street,” a resident of the Al-Safiya neighbourhood said.

The humanitarian situation in Bahri is dire. Residents in the city face food, water, and medical care shortages. Dengue fever and cholera outbreaks are spreading, and aid agencies have struggled to access the city.

The conflict in Sudan has displaced millions and caused a severe humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.