Sudan’s paramilitary forces, embroiled in a brutal conflict with the nation’s regular army for over a year, announced they had seized control of a crucial state capital in the southeast, forcing thousands to flee in terror.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) proclaimed on the social media platform X, “We have liberated the 17th Infantry Division from Singa,” referring to the capital of Sennar state. This significant victory was confirmed by local residents Lens Africa TV gathered, “The RSF have deployed in the streets of Singa.” Witnesses also reported seeing aircraft from the regular army flying overhead and hearing anti-aircraft fire.
Earlier on Saturday, other witnesses described intense street fighting and a growing sense of panic among residents desperately seeking to escape the chaos.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been torn apart by a devastating war between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has wreaked havoc on the country of over 48 million, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, and the emergence of one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
The RSF’s latest triumph tightens their grip on the country, especially around the strategically vital Port Sudan on the Red Sea, where the army, government, and United Nations agencies are currently based.
The paramilitaries already control most of the capital Khartoum, Al-Jazira state in central Sudan, the vast western region of Darfur, and significant portions of Kordofan to the south. The capture of Singa in Sennar state, which is already sheltering over 1 million displaced Sudanese, further consolidates the RSF’s hold. Sennar’s strategic location connects central Sudan to the army-controlled southeast, making its control pivotal in the ongoing conflict.
The relentless violence has left a trail of destruction and suffering. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide aid amidst the fighting, with many areas becoming inaccessible. The international community continues to call for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations, but such appeals have so far gone unheeded.
As the RSF solidifies its control and the regular army fights to regain lost ground, the people of Sudan remain caught in the crossfire, their hopes for peace and stability growing ever dimmer in the shadow of relentless conflict.
