The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has waged a major offensive against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Sennar State, resulting in widespread violence and displacement,[5][6] as part of the ongoing Sudanese civil war.
| Sennar offensive | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Sudanese civil war (2023-present) | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Sudanese Armed Forces |
 Rapid Support Forces | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Unknown | Abdel Rahman Albishi[4] | ||||||||
Background
editThe conflict in Sudan has been ongoing since April 2023, when tensions between the SAF and the RSF escalated into open warfare. The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been accused of gross rights violations across the country.
Offensive
editThe Sennar Offensive began with the RSF attacking the village of Jebal Moya in Sennar province. The conflict soon spread to the provincial capital of Singa, where intense fighting erupted.[5]
RSF fighters in pickup trucks mounted with automatic rifles rampaged through Singa, looting houses and shops, and taking over the city's main hospital. The RSF claimed to have seized the military's main facility, the 17th Infantry Division Headquarters, in Singa.
Impact and aftermath
editThe violence forced about 57,000 people to flee their homes. Those fleeing Singa arrived in Gedaref, Blue Nile, White Nile, and Kassala states. Aid groups in Gedaref, which is already hosting more than 600,000 people, started planning for the arrival of those fleeing Sennar.
The Sennar Offensive has had severe humanitarian consequences, with potential future disruption of large-scale agricultural programs in the nearby provinces of Blue Nile, White Nile, and Jazira.
References
edit- ^ Post, Sudans (4 July 2024). "RSF seizes control of military base deserted by SAF troops near Blue Nile state". Sudans Post.
- ^ "RSF claims victory in Al-Dinder, second capture in days". Sudan Tribune. 5 July 2024.
- ^ "RSF consolidates control over Sinjah, expands eastward". Sudan Tribune. 1 July 2024.
- ^ "RSF claims victory in Al-Dinder, second capture in days". Sudan Tribune. 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Looting and fighting reported in a central Sudan city as paramilitary group attacks military troops". AP News. 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ AFP, Staff Writer With (2024-07-03). "Over 55,000 Flee Sudan Town as RSF Battles Army: UN". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2024-07-06.