On July 3, 2023, Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, was plunged into chaos as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) clashed. The conflict, which began on April 15 of the same year, has left thousands dead and millions displaced.
Witness Reports and Skies Above Khartoum
Witnesses reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions across several neighborhoods in the city. A fighter jet was shot down by the RSF, as the SAF and the RSF fought with various weapons. The RSF claimed responsibility for the takedown of the jet and arrested the pilot after he landed with a parachute. Reports of heavy clashes have come from Omdurman, across the river from Khartoum’s city center.
Conflict Between SAF and RSF
The conflict between the SAF, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been ongoing. The violence has left nearly 3,000 people dead, and millions have been forced to flee their homes.
Chaos and Destruction
The civilian population is bearing the brunt of the conflict, with densely populated neighborhoods in Khartoum and the western region of Darfur subjected to heavy bombardments. The healthcare system in Sudan has been pushed to its breaking point, rendering two-thirds of health facilities nonfunctional.
Displacement and Hardship
The International Organization for Migration estimates that around 2.2 million Sudanese have been displaced within the country, while another 645,000 have fled across borders. The people of Khartoum and its surrounding areas are facing unimaginable hardship, struggling to secure basic necessities like water, food, electricity, and medicine.
The Future of a Nation
As the world watches, the future of Sudan hangs in the balance, its people longing for peace and stability amidst the chaos and devastation. The once-vibrant city of Khartoum has become a battlefield, where the ambitions of military factions have led to the suffering of millions.
