Recently, the situation in Sudan has reached a very critical point. The battle between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Hemeti has not only been taking place in Darfur or remote areas but has also reached Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. However, the surprise came with Hemeti’s new statements about ending the war. So, what did Hemeti say, and what is the future of the war?
Hemeti appeared in a speech and made an extremely important announcement, stating that his forces would not leave Khartoum or the Republican Palace. In the recorded speech broadcast, he said, “The next phase will be different, and the battle will be everywhere.” He also mentioned that they would remain in Khartoum “because they see the war has entered a new stage,” confirming that there were attempts to separate Darfur in the same way South Sudan was separated. On the other hand, the commander of the Sudanese army, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, made very firm statements. In a speech in the Nile River State, he confirmed that there would be no negotiations with the RSF unless they surrender their weapons and hold their members accountable. Al-Burhan stressed that the RSF forces must be gathered in designated locations and “disarmed” before any negotiations could take place.
The battle is not only continuing in Khartoum but also in Darfur, where the Sudanese army is trying to control several cities, especially in the city of Al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The Sudanese army announced that it was continuing its progress in Al-Fasher, trying to secure the city from the RSF militias. In a statement issued by the army, they confirmed that they had set up an ambush in the eastern axis of the city, which led to the killing of about 30 RSF elements who were preparing to attack the armed forces. The Sudanese army also carried out precise airstrikes targeting RSF positions in Nyala, which was one of the main locations used by the RSF in their fight against the Sudanese army. These airstrikes caused significant losses to the RSF in terms of lives and equipment, which helped the Sudanese army to strengthen its control over the situation in Al-Fasher.
At the same time, the Sudanese army is not fighting alone in this battle. There is continuous coordination between the Sudanese armed forces, the police, the intelligence services, and special forces. Everyone is working together in combing operations and surprise attacks on RSF positions on all fronts, which has had a significant impact on strengthening the position of the Sudanese army on the ground. The battle is not just a military attack; it also includes sharp threats and statements from the RSF leadership. Abdel Rahim Dagalo, the deputy commander of the RSF, threatened to liberate some strategic areas in Sudan such as Port Sudan, Kassala, and the northern states, describing them as being under their control. He also said that they are ready to print money and passports, but they refused to reveal more details about their plans.
What’s interesting here is that Abdel Rahim Dagalo stated that the areas controlled by his forces will be fully protected from airstrikes. Despite the increasingly complicated military situation in Sudan, these statements reflect the deepening tension between the RSF and the Sudanese army.
Now, everyone in Sudan is asking, “What is the next step?” The battle, which began in April 2023, still doesn’t have a clear end in sight. However, all indicators suggest that we are facing a long phase of conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF. Even if attempts are made for negotiations, it will be very difficult for both sides to reach an agreement. On one hand, Hemeti confirms that he will not give up Khartoum or the Republican Palace, while on the other hand, Al-Burhan stresses that there will be no negotiations until the weapons are surrendered and the involved elements are held accountable. Amidst all of this, the Sudanese army continues to make progress on all battlefronts in Darfur, which could be an indicator of a new phase in the conflict.
