Recent updates from Greater Khartoum’s suburb, Omdurman, report heavy artillery and rocket attacks from the north towards Khartoum. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) also conducted an assault on Wadi Sidna Airbase in North Omdurman, using drones. The RSF claimed to have destroyed three warplanes, weapon and equipment depots, resulting in dozens of casualties among the rebels.
Meanwhile, in West Darfur, a town called Surba has faced continuous attacks by Arab militias supported by the RSF, leading to fatalities and the burning of homes. The volatile region has prompted the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, to initiate an investigation into the violence.
The humanitarian situation in Sudan remains dire, with severe malnutrition affecting thousands of Sudanese refugees in camps, and the suspension of vaccinations exacerbating health risks. In a virtual press conference, the United Nations’ representative in Chad, Naema Abdo, raised concern over the “severe malnutrition” among thousands of Sudanese children in refugee camps, with 65 deaths recorded in children under five years old. The rainy season is expected to exacerbate the spread of diseases like cholera and measles.
Moreover, more than 67% of hospitals in Sudan are reportedly out of service, according to a joint statement by Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the director of the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, and Matshidiso Moeti, the regional director for Africa. The health facilities’ limited functionality further intensifies the humanitarian crisis.
On another front, the Saudi-brokered indirect talks between the Sudanese government and rebels have seen some progress. The army’s delegation returned from Saudi Arabia after engaging in discussions for about a month. Although there was agreement on several points, fundamental disagreements, such as the evacuation of rebel-held civilian homes, service facilities, hospitals, and roads in the capital, hindered a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.
As the conflict persists, humanitarian workers continue to face difficulties accessing combat zones due to government-imposed restrictions, further hampering the delivery of much-needed aid to affected communities. The situation remains highly precarious, with thousands of lives at risk and no immediate resolution in sight.