At least five individuals were killed during RSF artillery shelling at a mosque in Khartoum, as noted by a pro-democracy lawyers’ group. This incident comes amid the Sudanese army’s campaign to assert control over the capital. The ongoing conflict between the army and RSF has resulted in substantial casualties and a deep humanitarian crisis.
Recent artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals in eastern Khartoum, according to a Sudanese lawyers’ network advocating for democracy. This assault targeted civilians during evening tarawih prayers at a mosque located in the East Nile district. The Emergency Lawyers network has been monitoring violations committed by both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
This incident marks the second such attack on civilians since the RSF lost significant ground in central Khartoum, including the presidential palace, during a substantial offensive by the government army. In a prior attack on Sunday, RSF shelling in Omdurman, Khartoum’s adjacent city, claimed the lives of three civilians amidst unusually intense bombardments.
The Sudanese military has made significant territorial gains, claiming to have secured the central bank’s primary headquarters from the RSF. Army spokesman, Nabil Abdallah, reported that their forces had “eliminated hundreds of militia members who tried to escape through pockets in central Khartoum.” The RSF has since reinforced its control in western Sudan, drawing lines of battle and inching the country toward a state of de facto partition.
Despite setting up a parallel administration in areas under its control, widespread international recognition for the RSF remains unlikely. Since April 2023, conflict has persisted between the military, led by Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The ongoing struggle has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis, causing tens of thousands of fatalities and displacing over 12 million individuals.
The recent shelling in Khartoum illustrates an alarming escalation of violence in Sudan, as the RSF continues to target civilians amidst its territorial losses. With significant military advancements by the Sudanese army, the humanitarian situation worsens, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and protection for affected populations.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
