Khartoum: On Friday clashes erupted in areas of Bahri city, Sudan, between the factions involved in the conflict. These intense confrontations followed the initiation of a mediation process designed to bring an end to the three month dispute. The continuous fighting, which commenced on April 15 has led to the large scale displacement of civilians in the Khartoum region. Sparked motivated assaults, in Darfur.
Despite previous mediation attempts failing to bring an end to the violence, regional and international efforts persist. The latest initiative, launched in Egypt, received a positive response from both the army and the RSF paramilitary group, which holds close ties with Egypt. However, residents of northern Bahri reported heavy clashes between the two sides, with the fighting centered around the Halfaya bridge. Air strikes, artillery fire, and gunshots were heard throughout the day, causing further instability and fear among the population.
While the RSF quickly expanded its presence in the capital during the early stages of the conflict, the army has primarily relied on airstrikes and artillery strikes, which have had limited impact. In recent weeks, the army has intensified ground operations, particularly in Omdurman. Reports indicated clashes around an army base in southern Khartoum as well.
Communication disruptions added to the chaos, as residents in the wider capital area experienced several hours of outage during the morning. Furthermore Sudanese human rights organizations have presented evidence indicating that more than 5,000 individuals have been detained by the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) in the capital city. Disturbing reports have surfaced, detailing conditions and flagrant violations of rights, within these detention facilities. The RSF denied these claims, stating that they only held prisoners of war who were treated well. The organizations planned to submit documentation to the United Nations, including cases of torture-related deaths and dire detention conditions.
The situation in Sudan remains deeply concerning, with reports of mass graves in El Geneina raising alarm. The United Nations human rights office revealed that at least 87 individuals had been buried in a mass grave, accusing the RSF and allied militias of the killings, which the paramilitary force denied. Responding to these developments, the International Criminal Court announced its intention to investigate the killings across the region. The RSF did not provide any comment regarding the investigation when approached.