Sudan War: More Than 180 Killed Tuesday

Efforts by the Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, to recapture the Sudan capital city of Khartoum between Monday and Tuesday have led to the killing of more than 180 persons including the fighters in the Africa country.

Residents said there was intensified fighting in Omdurman since Tuesday early morning leading to several artillery fired from Khartoum North by the Rapid Support Forces, RSF. According to the residents, the artillery fired landed on civilian homes in Omdurman and those injured rushed into Al-Nao hospital where it is currently said that there is blood shortage for those in need of transfusion.

Since April 15, 2023, a rivalry between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Vice President Mohammedi “Hemedti” Hamdan Dagalo – the heads of the military and of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces RSF, respectively began war leading to millions of people displaced.

Residents statements indicated accordingly, that, the Sudanese army has launched air attacks and fired heavy artillery since Monday, in an attempt to take control of a bridge across the River Nile used by the RSF to move reinforcements and weapons from Omdurman to the other two cities that make up the capital’s metropolitan region, Khartoum North and Khartoum.

According to the United Nations, as violence continues in Sudan, more than 4 million people are now displaced and health conditions are gravely deteriorating in refugee camps and border areas.

United States of America, USA Embassy in Khartoum in a statement on Tuesday said the war has led to several persons raped among other atrocities in Darfur, Sudan.

USA Embassy statement reads in quote: “The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States) condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing violence in Darfur, especially reports of killings based on ethnicity and widespread sexual violence by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias. We call on all parties to immediately cease attacks and prevent the further spread of fighting. Those responsible must be held to account. Full access to conflict-affected areas must be granted so that abuses can be properly investigated and so that life-saving humanitarian aid can reach survivors who urgently need it. We are gravely concerned about reports of a military build-up near El Fasher, North Darfur, and Nyala, South Darfur, where further violence will put more civilians at risk.

“The expansion of the needless and ruinous conflict between RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to Darfur has caused incalculable human suffering. Those responsible for any atrocities against civilians, especially those including Conflict Related Sexual Violence and the targeting of humanitarian relief actors, medical personnel, and other service providers, must be held to account.

“We remind the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law related to the protection of civilians. We call on all parties to the conflict to enable humanitarian access in Darfur and throughout the country. The SAF and the RSF must silence their guns and find a negotiated exit from the conflict they started. The security forces must relinquish their hold on power to a civilian transitional government that fulfills the Sudanese people’s aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice”.

RSF in a statement said over 174 Sudanese soldiers were killed during the fighting on Tuesday, adding that, the Sudanese Armed Forces took over the Al-Nao hospital and drove away civilian patients to create space for it wounded fighters.

The Rapid Support Forces, RSF statement reads in quote: “The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its allied militias linked to the former regime have occupied al-Nao Hospital in Omdurman, converting it into a military barracks to tend to their wounded soldiers, as confirmed by a hospital doctor.

“Earlier today, the SAF and its allied militias were swiftly defeated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Later, the SAF forced the hospital’s medical staff to evacuate all their civilian patients and solely care for their injured soldiers, who presently number around 300, according to doctors.

“The SAF and its backers linked to the former regime have also urged the Sudanese people to donate blood and medicine on social media, while ambulances transport their wounded soldiers from various locations.

“Additionally, the SAF and its patrons from the former regime have bombarded residential areas in Omdurman with heavy artillery, leading to civilian deaths and the destruction of homes. Hundreds have been forced to evacuate and seek refuge in rural areas to avoid random shelling by the SAF and its allied militias.

“The RSF condemns the SAF’s occupation of hospitals and its forced removal of civilian patients from these facilities, denying them medical treatment. We also decry the forcible evacuation of civilians from their homes. The systematic SAF attacks on Sudanese hospitals and civilian patients began during the very first days of this war and are a breach of both human rights and international humanitarian law.

Earlier in another press release, the Rapid Support Forces, said: “Today, in various areas of Omdurman, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) achieved a notable victory against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its allied militias from the former regime — a victory that exemplified our soldiers’ courageousness and prowess.

“The RSF successfully engaged and neutralized the SAF and its backers from the former regime, inflicting significant casualties. Preliminary reports indicate 174 killed and more than 300 wounded in action. The injured were evacuated to Al-Nu Hospital in Omdurman. An additional 83 detainees were taken into custody, the majority of whom were identified as members of the Popular Defense Brigades and the Mujaheddin.

“The SAF and its allied militias attempted to attack RSF positions by infiltrating through the neighborhoods of Al-Thawrat and Wad Nobawi, the Al Soug Al Shaabi Omdurman, and Al Mohandseen area. Our brave soldiers were fully alert and ready and repelled the SAF and its supporters, who fled, leaving behind their wounded, dead bodies, equipment, and vehicles, which are now being inventoried.

“Our valiant forces continue to secure successive victories, driven by the resolve of the people of Sudan and their commitment to freedom, justice, equality, and democracy”.

Responding, office of the General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces on Tuesday said the Army carried out a combing operation and inflicted heavy losses on Rapid Support Forces fighters.

The Sudanese Armed Forces statement also read in quote: “Our forces in Omdurman today carried out a wide combing operation that included Old Omdurman, Al-Shuhada and Omdurman market up to Al-Hilal Stadium and south of Khor Abu Anja, inflicting heavy losses on the rebel militia which fled from the battlefield, and killing and wounding hundreds. Several have also been captured, including the rebel captain Salah Hamdan (brother of the rebel Omar Hamdan) while he attempted to flee from the battle.

“Our forces suffered four martyrs and several injured. Our forces accomplished their planned mission successfully and will continue in combing and directing strikes against the enemy until every last inch of cleansed from the dirt of the rebels and mercenaries.

“Heaven and eternity to our glorious martyrs. Our prayers for speedy recovery to those injured. Victory from Allah is near”