Army’s Limited Presence in Khartoum
Despite being composed of approximately 200,000 soldiers, double the size of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese army’s infantry battalions have remained largely absent from the streets of Khartoum during the ongoing conflict. As a result, much of the capital, along with the adjacent cities of Bahri and Omdurman, is now under the control of the RSF.
Outnumbered and Outmaneuvered
While the RSF initially operated in armed pick-up vehicles, they have transitioned to using ordinary cars, contributing to their outnumbering of the army on the streets. Many individuals have taken to social media to voice their complaints of RSF fighters stealing cars from their homes, speculating that the paramilitary group uses them as a means to avoid air strikes.
Airpower vs. RSF Advancement
The Sudanese military’s main strength lies in its airpower, leading them to conduct frequent strikes to weaken the RSF. However, despite causing significant civilian casualties, these airstrikes have not succeeded in halting the paramilitaries’ advance in Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman.
Al-Yarmouk Assault and RSF Control
A significant blow to the army came when RSF fighters successfully carried out an assault on al-Yarmouk, one of Sudan’s largest military complexes responsible for arms manufacturing and storage. The RSF claimed control of the complex, a claim confirmed by local residents, although the military has yet to acknowledge the loss.
RSF’s Key Sites and Army’s Defensive Positions
The RSF currently holds control over various critical locations within and around the three cities, including the main oil terminal, state media headquarters, parts of the presidential complex, and a significant portion of the international airport, which remains closed. While the army still maintains control of its headquarters and the airbase in Wadi Saeedna, from where fighter jets are deployed against the RSF, troops have resorted to digging extensive trenches to defend these positions.
Ingrained Challenges and Historical Context
The army’s inability to make substantial gains is attributed to Sudan’s historical challenges, including racism, slavery, and colonialism. The military, like other sectors of society, has been affected by these deep-rooted issues. Sudan’s army has a long history of recruitment from predominantly impoverished black African communities, with ethnic discrimination prevalent in the selection process. As a result, few individuals from these communities have risen to senior ranks, and the army has remained largely under the control of generals from Arab and Nubian backgrounds.
Challenges Faced by the Army
Compounded by their meager monthly earnings, which stand at a mere $11 to $16, soldiers struggle while the generals enrich themselves through various ventures, controlling a substantial portion of the country’s economy. Many soldiers have even joined the RSF, including the Saudi-Emirati coalition in Yemen, lured by substantial financial incentives. Furthermore, the RSF’s strength lies in the fact that many of its “battalions” comprise members from the same family or ethnic group, fostering a fierce protectiveness among them. In contrast, the army’s defence minister has resorted to mobilizing retired officers and soldiers to counter the RSF’s advance, a move that has been met with skepticism and seen as evidence of the military’s weaknesses.
The Unintended Consequence of Militias
Sudan’s military has historically relied on militias rather than fighting wars independently, as seen in the decades-long civil war and the conflict in Darfur. These militias, armed by the military, have now become a significant challenge, leading Sudan into its current crisis. The militias’ return has come back to haunt the army, resulting in the ongoing conflict and the RSF’s control over key areas in Khartoum.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Al Arabiya
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