Title: Sudanese Army Struggles to Regain Control as Conflict Escalates
Date: [Current Date]
Image copyright: Getty Images
In the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Sudanese army’s infantry battalions have been noticeably absent from the streets of Khartoum, leaving large parts of the capital under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Despite having a larger force of around 200,000 soldiers, the army is outnumbered by the RSF, which has gained control over key locations in Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman.
Initially, the RSF fighters moved between the three cities in armed pickup trucks, but they now use regular cars. However, there have been numerous complaints on social media about the RSF stealing cars from homes, suspected to be used for protection against air strikes.
Although the army’s air units are its most significant strength, launching air strikes to weaken the RSF, these strikes have been unable to prevent the paramilitary forces from advancing. The RSF recently dealt a serious blow to the army by attacking and taking control of the Yarmouk complex, one of Sudan’s largest military complexes.
The RSF also controls other key locations, including the main oil station, the headquarters of the state media, a large part of the presidential complex, and most of the international airports that have been closed since the conflict began. The control over these strategic sites has given the RSF a significant advantage.
The history of the Sudanese army reveals deep-rooted issues of racism, slavery, and colonialism. Recruitment into the army has historically been biased against black Africans, with only a few rising to high positions. Under former President Omar al-Bashir’s rule, black Africans were rarely accepted into military colleges, and the army remained largely controlled by Arab and Nubian elites.
The soldiers in the Sudanese army are paid meager salaries, while the generals have enriched themselves through various business ventures. Some soldiers have joined the RSF, fighting within the Saudi-Emirati coalition in Yemen, in exchange for higher pay. RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Hemedti,” became a major gold dealer, further consolidating his power and wealth.
With an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 fighters and a vast number of armed pick-up trucks, the RSF has become the de facto infantry force in Sudan. Many of its brigades are composed of members of the same family or ethnic group, fostering a strong sense of loyalty and protection among its fighters.
In response to the escalating conflict, the Sudanese Minister of Defense has called for the mobilization of retired officers and soldiers to support the army’s efforts to regain control.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of approximately 2 million people, who have fled their homes, shops, and offices. Residential and commercial areas have been devastated, with facilities being bombed, occupied, and looted.
As the conflict intensifies, the Sudanese army faces significant challenges in regaining control from the RSF. The deep-rooted issues of racism and inequality within the military further complicate the situation. The outcome of this conflict will have far-reaching implications for Sudan’s future stability and governance.
Photo Caption: The fighting has caused extensive damage to both residential and commercial areas.
Image copyright: Getty ImagesTitle: Rapid Support Forces Outnumber Sudanese Army on the Streets of Khartoum
Date: June 24, 2023
In the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have gained control over large parts of the capital city, Khartoum, leaving the Sudanese army’s infantry battalions hardly visible on the streets. Despite having a larger force of around 200,000 soldiers, the army is outnumbered by the RSF, which consists of approximately 80,000 to 100,000 fighters.
Initially, the RSF fighters moved between Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman in their armed pickup trucks, but they now mostly use regular cars. However, there have been numerous complaints on social media about the RSF stealing cars from people’s homes, suspected to be used for protection against air strikes.
Although the Sudanese army’s air units are its most significant strength, launching constant air strikes to weaken the RSF, these strikes have been unable to prevent the paramilitary forces from advancing. The RSF controls key locations in and around the three cities, including the main oil station, the state media headquarters, a large part of the presidential complex, and most of the closed international airports.
In a significant blow to the army, the RSF launched an attack on the Yarmouk complex, one of Sudan’s largest military complexes, and announced its control over it. The army launched a counterattack but only managed to briefly regain control of a crucial bridge linking the RSF fighters in Omdurman with their colleagues in Khartoum and Bahri.
The Sudanese army’s struggle to make significant gains on the battlefield is attributed to the country’s history of racism, slavery, and colonialism. The army, like many other sectors of society, continues to suffer from these deep-rooted issues. Recruitment into the army has historically favored individuals from Arab and Nubian elites, while black Africans were rarely accepted into military colleges.
Furthermore, the army’s low salaries, ranging from $11 to $16 a month for soldiers, have led some to join the RSF in exchange for higher pay. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Hemedti,” has become a major force in Sudan, controlling gold mines, borders, and having a significant presence in the country.
The RSF’s strength lies in its familial and ethnic composition, with many brigades made up of members from the same family or ethnic group, fostering a fierce loyalty among its fighters. In contrast, the Sudanese Minister of Defense’s call for the mobilization of retired officers and soldiers to repel the RSF rebellion has been met with derision, highlighting the perceived weakness of the army.
The Sudanese army has a history of relying on militias rather than fighting wars independently, as seen in the civil war that led to South Sudan’s independence and the conflict in Darfur. Now, these heavily armed militias have turned against the army, exacerbating Sudan’s current crisis.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of approximately 2 million people, with residential and commercial areas devastated by bombings and looting. The situation remains tense as the RSF maintains control over key locations, while the army struggles to regain ground.
As the conflict continues, the future of Sudan remains uncertain, with the RSF’s dominance on the streets of Khartoum posing a significant challenge to the Sudanese army’s authority.
Image: Getty Images
What role does the strong sense of loyalty and protection fostered among the RSF’s fighters, many of whom are from the same family or ethnic group, play in their success as the de facto infantry force in Sudan
Gnificant progress in regaining control is further complicated by the deep-rooted issues of racism and inequality within its ranks. Historically, recruitment into the army has been biased against black Africans, resulting in a majority of Arab and Nubian elites in high positions. Additionally, soldiers receive meager salaries while the generals enrich themselves through various business ventures.
The RSF, on the other hand, has become the de facto infantry force in Sudan. With an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 fighters and a vast number of armed pick-up trucks, they have gained a significant advantage. Many of its brigades are composed of members of the same family or ethnic group, fostering a strong sense of loyalty and protection among its fighters.
As the conflict escalates, approximately 2 million people have been displaced, fleeing their homes, shops, and offices. Residential and commercial areas have been devastated, with facilities bombed, occupied, and looted.
To address the challenging situation, the Sudanese Minister of Defense has called for the mobilization of retired officers and soldiers to support the army’s efforts. However, the outcome of this conflict will have far-reaching implications for Sudan’s future stability and governance.
Photo Caption: The ongoing fighting has caused extensive damage to both residential and commercial areas in Sudan.
The rapid intervention by Sudan’s Support Forces in gaining control of the conflict not only highlights their effectiveness but also exposes the vulnerability of the army. A remarkable development that warrants further analysis.
The swift control gained by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s conflict serves as a stark reminder of the army’s underlying weaknesses. Urgent measures are needed to address these vulnerabilities and establish a stronger unified front for the nation’s stability.