Egypt Supports Sudan’s Unity and State Institutions

Sudan Events – Agencies

On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati announced that Cairo supports the Sudanese state and its institutions and is committed to the swift restoration of security in Sudan. He added that “the focus should be on solutions that ensure Sudan remains united and stable.”

Meanwhile, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Salami, stated that millions of people in Sudan are facing hunger, noting that Sudan is among the top four countries in the world with the highest rates of acute malnutrition. Salami stressed the urgent need for immediate funding to support Sudan, saying that the humanitarian community is providing food and nutritional aid, but resources are running out.

For his part, Sudanese Army Deputy Commander General Yasser Al-Atta declared that the airports of N’Djamena and “Um Jaras” in Chad are legitimate targets for the Sudanese army. Al-Atta’s threats are not new, as he has consistently accused neighboring countries of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In November 2023, Al-Atta accused Chad of using the Um Jaras airport to supply the RSF and also accused Uganda, the Central African Republic, and Kenya of backing the RSF.

Three Civilians Killed

The RSF’s claims of victories in battles in the North Darfur desert followed the army’s announcement that it was close to securing central Khartoum on Sunday morning after reclaiming the Republican Palace last Friday. Witnesses confirmed that the RSF withdrew from the palace and central Khartoum under intense siege by the army.

Three civilians — two children and a woman — were killed on Sunday in an RSF artillery attack on the city of Omdurman, part of Greater Khartoum, according to a medical source. The source at Al-Naw Hospital also reported that the shelling injured eight others. Eyewitnesses said they heard seven shells fall on residential areas under army control. The RSF also targeted the Karari military district on Sunday morning with artillery and drones. Karari is where the army maintains a significant presence in the capital, and the RSF has been systematically attacking the area with heavy artillery and drones.

The Sudanese army recently secured strategic locations, including the Presidential Palace, the Central Bank of Sudan, and the National Museum. Sudanese Army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah stated that the RSF suffered heavy casualties while attempting to retreat from parts of central Khartoum, reflecting the escalating conflict in the area.

The Sudanese army and the RSF have been fighting for control of the country since April 2023. The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis, with mass displacement within and outside Sudan and thousands of deaths, according to UNICEF.

Recovery of Ministries and Institutions

The army has achieved significant victories over the RSF since September, starting with its crossing of the Halfaya Bridge, which enabled it to reclaim the city of Bahri, the oil refinery, and areas in East Nile. The army also recaptured key neighborhoods in central and southern Khartoum, including Al-Lamab, Al-Hilla Al-Jadida, Al-Qoz, and Al-Sajana, as well as the industrial area, which includes the currency printing press.

The army continued its offensive against the RSF by reclaiming the Republican Palace, most government ministries and institutions, the Central Bank, the buildings of Sudan University and Al-Neelain University, the Al-Muqran district, the Arab Market, and key bridges, including Al-Fatihab, White Nile, Tuti, Al-Mak Nimir, Blue Nile, and Kober.

In Omdurman, the army has made significant advances in the Um Badda district and the southwestern parts of the city, forcing the RSF to retreat toward the well-known Libya Market.

However, the RSF still controls Khartoum Airport and neighborhoods east of the army’s general headquarters, such as Al-Barari, Al-Manshiya, Al-Riyadh, Al-Taif, and the western entrance of Al-Manshiya Bridge. Its control extends south to the city of Soba and the eastern entrance to Soba Bridge.

In southwestern Khartoum, the RSF continues to hold neighborhoods such as Khartoum 2, Khartoum 3, Al-Dura Al-Thalitha Extension, Al-Diyoum, Al-Sahafa, and the southern Green Belt area, as well as the entire Jebel Aulia locality, which remains the RSF’s only escape route from Khartoum.