Sudan’s Military Gains Ground Amidst Ongoing Civil Conflict

The New York Times’ reporters are the first Western journalists to visit Khartoum since the civil war began. The military has seized significant control, including the presidential palace. Despite these advances, ongoing resistance remains, and hopes for a swift resolution appear distant.

A correspondent and photographer from The New York Times became the first Western journalists to report from central Khartoum since the onset of the civil war two years ago. Their observations highlight the extensive devastation that the city has suffered during this ongoing conflict.

In the presidential palace, soldiers assembled amid the ruins, armed with rifles and rocket launchers. They received orders before advancing down the once-grand entryway that now leads to a city bereft of life, embarking on a mission to eliminate the last remnants of paramilitary fighters.

Since seizing the presidential palace on Friday, following a brutal clash that claimed hundreds of lives, Sudan’s military has gained control over much of central Khartoum. This development is pivotal as it may alter the trajectory of the prolonged civil war.

By Sunday, military forces had also secured key locations, including the Central Bank, the national intelligence headquarters, and the renowned Corinthia Hotel on the Nile. The journalists from The New York Times provided a crucial perspective on the shifts occurring within the war-torn region, revealing a stark landscape yet offering little optimism for a quick resolution.

Mohamed Ibrahim, a special forces officer, voiced a resolute sentiment, stating, “We will never leave our country to the mercenaries,” a reference to the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), which were once allies of the army but have since become its principal adversaries.

The recent military advances in Khartoum denote a significant shift in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, with key locations captured by the military, including the presidential palace. Despite these gains, the future remains uncertain, as voices from within the military express a firm commitment to combat the R.S.F., indicating an enduring struggle ahead for the nation.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com