Battle of Khartoum (2023–present)
Battle during the 2023 Sudan conflict / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The battle of Khartoum is an ongoing major battle for control of Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, with fighting in and around the city between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the Sudanese Armed Forces. The battle began on 15 April 2023, after the RSF captured Khartoum International Airport, several military bases, and the presidential palace, starting an escalating series of clashes.
Battle of Khartoum | |||||||
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Part of the war in Sudan | |||||||
Situation in and around Khartoum and Omdurman as of February 2024 Sudanese Armed Forces presence
Rapid Support Forces presence
Contested (most likely with RSF presence) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Malik Agar Shams al-Din Kabbashi Yasser al-Atta Ibrahim Karima Abdelrahman El Tayeb † |
Hemedti Abdelrahim Dagalo | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Unknown |
66,625 people (14 April, per SAF)[11]
104 armored personnel carriers 171 vehicles with machine guns | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
30+ killed[12] | Unknown | ||||||
Thousands killed[13] 229 missing (as of 22 May)[14] |
It was initially reported that tensions rose in Khartoum and Merowe on 13 April 2023, when RSF forces mobilized.[15] In response, the SAF issued a statement saying "There is a possibility of confrontation between SAF and RSF forces" introducing fears of a wider conflict.[16] In the evening of 14 April 2023, RSF forces assaulted the Khartoum International Airport, a military base, and the presidential palace. The fighting spread from Khartoum into its suburbs, primarily Omdurman where its bridge on the White Nile was largely captured by the RSF forces.[17]
By 28 April, there had been more than 500 civilian deaths in Khartoum, including an Indian citizen, an Iraqi citizen, an Egyptian civilian, and a Sudanese-American man travelling with his family.[18][19]
The battle has been marked by gruelling urban warfare.[20][21]