URGENT UPDATE: The Sudanese Army has successfully intercepted 15 drones launched by the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeting the cities of Atbara and Omdurman. This alarming development was confirmed by a military official who spoke under condition of anonymity, stating that no casualties were reported from the strikes.
Residents reported hearing explosions in Atbara, located north of the capital, Khartoum. Ground defenses also thwarted a smaller-scale drone attack on Omdurman, the sister city of Khartoum. The RSF’s drone strikes come just a day after they announced their agreement to a humanitarian truce proposed by a US-led mediation group known as the Quad.
The situation remains tense as the Sudanese military welcomed the Quad’s proposal for a truce but emphasized they will only agree if the RSF withdraws from civilian areas and relinquishes weapons, in line with previous peace proposals. This conflict erupted in 2023, resulting in at least 40,000 deaths and displacing a staggering 12 million people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Aid organizations warn that the actual death toll may be significantly higher, with over 24 million people facing acute food insecurity.
The US-led truce plan aims to initiate a three-month humanitarian pause, followed by a nine-month political process. Massad Boulos, a US adviser for African affairs, outlined these details earlier this week. In a related development, the UN Human Rights Council announced it will convene an emergency special session on November 14, addressing the ongoing violence against civilians in the Darfur region, particularly in the city of el-Fasher.
The RSF’s agreement to the truce follows their seizure of el-Fasher, which had been under siege for over 18 months and represented the last military stronghold in western Darfur. According to UNICEF, more than 81,000 people have been displaced from el-Fasher since October 26, with increasing needs for shelter, food, water, and medical care amid limited aid access.
UNICEF reports that over 850 children are currently receiving treatment for acute malnutrition. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by rampant violence, sexual assaults, and looting of healthcare facilities, making women and children particularly vulnerable.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely for the next steps. The urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a lasting resolution to the conflict becomes more pressing by the day. Stay tuned for further updates as developments arise.
