Sudan Media Forum: Joint newsroom

Prepared and edited by: Sudan‍ Tribune

Omdurman, September 22, 2024 – An atmosphere of ⁢war exists in Karari, north of Omdurman, and the old neighborhoods of Omdurman in the⁤ south, ⁤although this is the only place in Khartoum State that still enjoys some of the glow of ⁤the capital city.

The⁢ war that started between the⁤ Sudanese army and ​the Rapid Aid Forces on April 15, 2023 destroyed the capital of Sudan and turned all the cities of Khartoum into theaters of military operations, especially due to the expansion of the‍ Rapid Aid Forces ‍control.

However, ⁤the military-controlled area of ​​Karari, far north of ⁢Omdurman, is still alive with life,⁤ especially after the expansion of military control to ‍the south and the removal of Rapid Aid from the⁤ old neighborhoods in the Omdurman area following a ⁤fierce battle last March.

The neighborhoods of the old city, such as Wad Nubawi, Bayt al-Mal, Al-Mulazeen, Bant, Al-Mawradah, Al-Abbasiya, Abu Rouf, Wad Al-Banna, and Al-Qamayr,‍ are slowly making‌ their ​way to recovery, but the life of the capital appears in all its bustle to the north in the suburb of Al-Thawra and the northern countryside of the Karari district.

A ‍game ⁣of death ​and luck

The support ‌forces are directing their launchers and‍ artillery fire towards Omdurman⁢ from ‌their areas of control along the east bank of the Nile, starting​ from Al-Muqrin and Tuti Island in Khartoum, passing through the neighborhoods of Khartoum Bahri and ending in the northern countryside of⁣ Khartoum​ Bahri in Al-Jili and Qari.

Accordingly, old ⁤Omdurman, from its southernmost ‌part ​in Bant and Mohandessin, through the suburb of Al-Thawra and up​ to the northern countryside of Omdurman in Al-Sarorab and Al-Jazira Islang, is ‌exposed to‌ repeated artillery fire.

The Rapid ⁢Support Forces, from their areas of control west ⁣of Omdurman in parts of ⁤Umm Badda, are also targeting​ areas of ⁤army control‍ in the western neighborhoods of the suburb of Al-Thawra.

According⁤ to an official in the State ‌of Khartoum, located in the Karari area of ​​Omdurman, the local authorities do not have an ‌account of ‍the dead‌ and⁤ those injured‍ as a result of the Rapid⁤ Aid artillery shooting ‍on Omdurman since the beginning of the war.

The⁣ official, who preferred to withhold his name because he is not authorized to speak to the press, ⁤says the pace of the bombing has increased ⁣recently, and with it the number of victims, including deaths, injuries, ‍and the destruction ‍of homes⁣ and‍ public facilities.

Life with​ war

Residents of Omdurman are fighting fear as they are forced to stay in the light of the war⁢ and the deterioration of the labor market, in the sense that leaving to safe states or outside of Sudan is not an option for many.

Instead of Omdurman’s main markets, such as ⁤the Omdurman Market, the People’s Market,​ and the Libyan Market, which were ​destroyed, looted, or⁢ burned during⁢ the ⁤war,

Markets and ⁣havens for ‍residents ⁤on the main‍ roads in Al-Thawra suburb, especially on Al-Wadi, Al-Nass and Al-Shanqiti streets.

The spokesman for‍ the Baath Arab Socialist Party and⁣ former member ‍of the Economic ⁢Committee of the ‍Forces for Freedom and Change, Adel Khalfallah, says that the war has deliberately destroyed centers and institutions of industrial and⁤ agricultural production, companies, workshops and warehouses, as well⁢ as the looting and vandalism that affected private and public property, markets, banks, and service facilities for education, health, electricity, and water.

Ingredients for survival and return

Despite the‌ apparent signs of war in Omdurman,⁣ the provision and improvement of water, electricity and security services remains a critical challenge in order to stimulate the survival and return of the population.

The old neighborhoods ​of Omdurman are witnessing a slow return of ‍residents, some of whom are residents⁣ of other areas, such as the ‍neighborhoods ‌north of⁣ Khartoum ​Bahri,⁣ who were forced to flee RSF crimes⁤ to Omdurman.

FH, a resident of⁣ the Halfayat al-Muluk neighborhood in Khartoum Bahri, tells the Sudan Tribune ‍that she has been ⁣forced to move several⁢ times since the war, to Gezira Province, then to Al-Faki Hashem, north of Khartoum Bahri, and from there she crossed the Nile with her family to ‍Omdurman, where they live in a family friend’s house in the Wad Al-Banna neighborhood in the⁣ center of the city.

FH complains about the abundance of mosquitoes and disease vectors that have caused the unknown fever outbreaks. She continues by‍ saying, “We live with the​ sounds of bullets and movement restrictions in the neighborhood, where‍ movement is still limited and stops⁢ shortly after ​sunset.”

According to a Sudan Tribune ‌reporter, maintenance work is still being done on ⁣the ​electricity network lines and water stations, but the large-scale destruction in areas such as the ancient⁣ neighborhood of‌ Wad ​Nubawi makes it very difficult returning residents at ‍this time.

In terms of providing security, in September of this year, the police began using patrols on ‌foot and on ‌foot in the Karari area, north of Omdurman,‍ to reduce the crimes of looting at gunpoint, which led to some murders.

In the old neighborhoods of ⁣Omdurman, which are connected to‌ the Omdurman district, the‌ police ⁢reported earlier the reopening of departments that began to receive​ reports and criminal work in the areas that the army regained⁢ from the Rapid Support ‌Forces.

Major General Saleh Hassan Bakhit, Omdurman ⁤Local Police Director, said that the prosecution has also started its duties and has confirmed the readiness of the police forces⁢ to secure Omdurman’s neighbourhoods, markets and important sites in preparation for the return ⁢of​ citizens to their homes.