Sudan's Army Launches Major Offensive Amid 17-Month Conflict

Sudan's army launched a significant offensive against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital, marking its largest operation during the 17-month conflict. The offensive involved heavy artillery and air strikes, particularly in Bahri and Khartoum. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have stalled, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Sudan's army executed a massive artillery and air strike offensive in the capital on Thursday, marking its largest operation since the conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began 17 months ago. Witnesses described heavy bombardments and clashes as army troops attempted to cross bridges connecting Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri.

Video footage captured black smoke rising over the capital, with the sounds of battle in the background. Army sources confirmed they had crossed key bridges, while the RSF claimed to have thwarted these attempts. Despite the army's earlier gains in Omdurman, it has struggled to dislodge RSF forces.

The ongoing conflict has caused severe humanitarian crises, displacing over 10 million people and pushing parts of Sudan to extreme hunger. Diplomatic efforts for resolution have faltered, with growing fears of ethnically-targeted violence. The U.N. has documented serious human rights violations, urging an end to the siege of al-Fashir, a critical area of conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)