Devastating Air Strikes Claim 17 Lives in Khartoum, Urgent Ceasefire Negotiations Underway

In a tragic turn of events, air strikes have ravaged various parts of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, leading to the loss of numerous civilian lives. These devastating attacks occurred as mediators endeavored to broker a new ceasefire between the warring factions involved in the conflict.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has now entered its third month, with neither side achieving a decisive advantage. This protracted war has resulted in the displacement of approximately 2.2 million Sudanese citizens and claimed the lives of hundreds, plunging the already war-weary Darfur region into an unparalleled "humanitarian calamity," according to the United Nations.

The Sudanese army enjoys the tactical advantage of air power in Khartoum, as well as in neighboring cities such as Omdurman and Bahri. On the other hand, the RSF has taken shelter within residential areas. Recent air strikes conducted by the army appear to have intensified, targeting several residential neighborhoods.

In a speech released by the army on Friday, General Yassir Al-Atta, a high-ranking military official, cautioned civilians to steer clear of homes occupied by the RSF. He proclaimed, to the cheer of his audience, that they would attack the rebels anywhere necessary. General Al-Atta's remarks seemingly disregarded the ongoing mediation attempts and conveyed an uncompromising stance.

The Khartoum health ministry has confirmed reports from local volunteers that 17 individuals, including five children, lost their lives in the Mayo area of southern Khartoum. Tragically, 25 homes were also destroyed in this merciless attack. This strike marks the latest in a series of air and artillery assaults on the impoverished and densely populated district, where the majority of residents lack the means to escape the violence.

Late on Friday, the local resistance committee reported that 13 people were killed by shelling in al-Lammab, located in western Khartoum. The committee described the neighborhood as an "operations zone."

The RSF has now claimed responsibility for downing an army warplane in the Nile, west of Khartoum. Meanwhile, air strikes continued to pummel central and southern Omdurman from Friday into the following day, resulting in the loss of one life, according to reports from the local committee in the Beit al-Mal neighborhood.

Residents recounted a tragic incident in the Sharq el-Nil district, where an air strike on Friday claimed the lives of three members of a single family.

In El-Geneina, situated in West Darfur, over 270,000 individuals have fled across the border to Chad due to the relentless attacks. This mass exodus followed the deaths of more than 1,000 people, attributed to the RSF and its allied militias, as reported by both residents and the United States.

Within Khartoum itself, the ongoing war has severed access to electricity, water, and healthcare for millions of remaining inhabitants, who have been forced to ration food. Widespread looting has also been reported, further exacerbating the dire conditions faced by the population.

Despite a series of attempted ceasefires, none have succeeded in bringing about a complete end to the hostilities or facilitating unhindered humanitarian access. However, ongoing talks in Jeddah, involving mediators from the United States and Saudi Arabia, now seem to be addressing the possibility of a new three-day ceasefire, as well as a five-day ceasefire during the upcoming Eid holiday, according to reliable sources.

The situation in Khartoum remains precarious, with the conflict's impact continuing to devastate the lives of innocent civilians. Urgent efforts are required to