A Sniper’s Perspective: The Turmoil of Khartoum

In the heart of Khartoum, a sniper's stronghold reveals the devastating impact of a military coup and civil war, as the Sudanese Army fights against the Rapid Support Forces for control of the capital.

In the chaos of Khartoum, Sudan, the commanding figure of Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan stands vigil in a sniper's nest located in what was once a luxury apartment complex above the Blue Nile. His mission: target members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) positioned across the river, perilously close to the country's presidential palace, now a symbol of conflict rather than governance.

The room shows significant wear from repeated fire; its once opulent walls marred by use. All light bulbs have been removed, likely either looted or taken by soldiers, as illumination from a chandelier behind a firing position could be deadly. In this high-stakes setting, Hassan pauses to observe, with his ear protectors lying nearby, a testament to the tense stillness before potential conflict. The corner of the room houses a bare mattress, a reminder of the grim necessity of rest amid the gunfire echoing through the building.

Just four years prior, this area of Khartoum was on the brink of democratic progress. A sudden military coup followed by nearly two years of brutal civil war has altered its fate. The army and the R.S.F. have turned their full arsenal on one another, with the Blue Nile river marking a tumultuous front line. As of now, the army's hold on the city is precarious, with only a few bases left under their control following the R.S.F.'s sweeping victories in April 2023.

Fast forward to March 12, with an aggressive counteroffensive in motion, the army, along with various militias, has begun to reclaim territory in the northern and eastern regions of the city. Recent military successes include reclaiming the presidential palace, a key objective. However, analysts express skepticism about the prospect of an end to hostilities anytime soon, warning that the ongoing violence has already reduced vast portions of Khartoum to ashes. The future remains uncertain, with the soul of a nation hanging in the balance.