Egypt Daily News – Fighting has continued in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, which has taken a violent turn as clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified on Friday.
These confrontations occurred in central and southern Khartoum, as well as near the main oil refinery in Jili, located north of the capital.
The army reportedly engaged in heavy air force operations during these battles. Reports indicate that combat groups and armored vehicles from the army managed to move across the Fatiha and White Nile bridges from Omdurman, reaching the strategic region of Al-Muqrin in northwest Khartoum.
This escalation marks the largest offensive on the capital since the conflict erupted in mid-April 2023. Following intense fighting that lasted over seven hours, army units retreated to Omdurman, with unofficial sources estimating that hundreds were either killed or injured on both sides.
The clashes have been particularly fierce in the Arab Market area of central Khartoum, around key locations in the city’s northwest, and near the armored corps in the southern area.
Intermittent fighting was also reported in Khartoum North, particularly in the Kadr area, where both forces have maintained shared control since the war’s outbreak.
The situation around the Jili oil refinery has also seen a surge in hostilities, as the facility is critical for the region. The previous day, the army launched an offensive from Omdurman, targeting two vital bridges leading into Khartoum and Khartoum North, backed by extensive airstrikes.
The RSF retaliated with heavy artillery fire, leading to increased concerns over civilian safety. There have been reports of civilian casualties due to shrapnel and artillery fire, further exacerbated by a reported lack of emergency medical services.
The army’s efforts to reclaim control over the bridges that connect Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North have faced significant resistance from the RSF, which currently holds control over six out of the ten major bridges across the Blue and White Nile and the Nile River.
The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to vie for dominance in the capital, with the Shambat Bridge out of service due to previous damage and both forces sharing control of the Fathia and Halfaya bridges.
