*Clashes intensified in the heart of the capital overnight*
*The UN said civilians were being put ‘at grave risk’ by the violence*
*Avaaz briefing starting in 90mins on the impact of USAid cuts on Sudan*
THU 20 MAR -- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) appears to be close to recapturing the presidential palace in central Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following intense clashes overnight. Footage posted to social media in the early hours of Thursday morning and believed to have been shot in the capital showed fires burning in the streets and projectiles moving across the sky. Heavy exchanges of gunfire could also be heard.
Sudanese state TV reports that the presidential palace, at the northern edge of Khartoum, could soon fall. SAF succeeded in cutting off RSF supply lines and tightening a siege on central Khartoum over recent days, and is now using snipers to prevent the arrival of reinforcements, according to Darfur24. Sources told the outlet that SAF’s advance had also employed drones, which were much harder for the RSF to take out or evade.
Citing statements by the army’s armored corps, Sudan Tribune reports that around 35 RSF vehicles were destroyed as they tried to flee the palace for southern Khartoum. In a video message on Saturday, RSF leader Hemedti appealed to his forces not to abandon the palace.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned in a statement that the escalating violence was “putting civilians at grave risk”. Local responders told the body that a drone strike in East Khartoum on Wednesday killed five women and injured several others, while artillery shelling in an area north of Omdurman during evening prayers on Monday killed several people and injured more than 40 others, including children.
SAF’s advance has happened with the support of the National Resistance, a volunteer force formed by SAF shortly after the start of the war, and the Baraa bin Malik Battalion, an Islamist militia of around 20,000 fighters that have been engaged in the conflict since it broke out.
Footage shared by Sudan War Monitor also showed what are believed to be young teenage boys serving on the frontlines in Khartoum with the SAF-allied Al-Baraa Bin Malik Islamist brigade. The clip was reportedly shot at the Sharwani Station, around one mile south of the palace, on Sunday. Both sides have been accused of recruiting child soldiers.
Sudan Briefing TODAY - Impact of the U.S. aid cuts on Sudan, the world's biggest humanitarian crisis
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. NYC time | 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. London time
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Paris / Johannesburg time
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nairobi / Kampala time
WHAT:
Hear from Sudanese humanitarians battling to save lives in the face of crippling budget cuts, including Emergency Response Room (ERR) volunteers and medical workers on the ground.
Conditions for millions of people in Sudan were already catastrophic, and now humanitarians in Sudan are grappling with the abrupt cut in US funds which have crippled numerous life-saving aid operations. Sudan is experiencing the world's biggest humanitarian crisis on record. Aid groups report a worsening famine and severe shortages of safe drinking water and medical supplies.
The freezing of US humanitarian assistance has forced the closure of almost 80% of the emergency food kitchens in Sudan.
This briefing will feature:
The weekly dispatch features the latest developments, first-hand testimony, footage, photos, stats and analysis on Sudan. We can connect you with voices from the ground, experts and survivors of the war. I am available at +44 7935 296 004 / shayna@avaaz.org
To get this briefing in your inbox each week, sign up here.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is building an earthen wall around El Fasher to create a “kill box” and prevent civilians fleeing the besieged city, satellite imagery suggests.
People caught trying to smuggle food into the besieged city of El Fasher are being “executed on sight” by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to one civilian.
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