Fighting escalates in eastern Sudan’s Sennar

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claim to have captured the town of El Souki in Sennar, as part of intensified fighting in south-eastern Sudan. The militia also claims to have destroyed or captured significant military materiel, however it is difficult to verify such reports owing the fluid situation on the ground.

The RSF claim via social media yesterday and this morning, to have gained complete control of the town of El Souki (El Suki), 45 kilometres southeast of Sennar town. They seized 21 vehicles “with all their military equipment”, as well as artillery equipment and various weapons and ammunition. The RSF also claim to have destroyed five vehicles, killed more than 150, and captured ‘dozens’ of personnel.

At time of posting, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has not issued any statement regarding the battles, or confirming or refuting the RSF claims.

As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, the RSF took control of the Sennar state capital of Singa in a ‘Blitzkrieg’ on June 29 and continued towards El Souki and El Dinder in Sennar, the Doba Bridge connecting Sennar with El Fao, as well as Karkoj and El Mazmoum in El Gedaref.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan in its flash update of July 4 cited the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix stating that an estimated 136,000 people were displaced from various locations in Sennar following the RSF-SAF clashes in the state.

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network earlier this month reported a surge in rape cases in Sennar and Singa. A large number of people have gone missing.

This is an ongoing, breaking story. Radio Dabanga will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.