No End In Sight As Clashes Between Sudan's Warring Leaders Intensify

Sudan's warring military groups battled by air and on the ground in the country's capital on Tuesday, adding to the anguish of inhabitants already suffering from a lack of food and medication.

Fighting between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed hundreds of civilians, pushed 400,000 over borders, and forced more than 1.2 million people to flee the capital and other cities.

Saudi Arabia and the US had mediated discussions that resulted in imperfectly followed ceasefires to bring humanitarian aid. 

However, discussions broke down last week, and while delegates are still in Jeddah, no direct meetings have been confirmed.

The war has caused significant damage to the city, leaving the surviving people vulnerable to fights, air attacks, and looting.

Residents in southern and eastern Khartoum and northern Bahri reported hearing artillery and gun fights on Tuesday morning, as did residents in northern Bahri.

Overnight, the two groups battled in Omdurman's streets, near the army's vital Engineers Corps facility. 

The army, which prefers air attacks to ground combat, was able to hold its positions surrounding the base but was unable to push back the RSF, which controls the majority of the remainder of the city.

"Our neighbourhood has become a war zone. There are fierce clashes and strikes all around us because our house is next to the Engineers' Corps," said 45-year-old Jawahir Mohamed.

"We are scared of dying but we are also scared of leaving our house and being burgled," she added.

Looters have pillaged areas around the city, stolen automobiles, smashed open safes, and invaded houses, according to Khartoum residents and neighbourhood groups.

Aid organizations have struggled to give comprehensive help to Khartoum inhabitants, who are facing power and water shortages, as well as diminishing supplies in shops and pharmacies.

Neighbourhood-based resistance committees have attempted to coordinate such support, but have struggled as the combat has escalated.

"We could not distribute medicines because of the air and artillery bombardment," said one activist who asked not to be named.

Fighting has expanded beyond Khartoum to the Darfur region to the West, where the RSF originated and maintains a power base.

Also hit by fighting is the city of El Obeid, a key route between Khartoum and Darfur.