Sudanese Army Engages RSF in Fierce Battle for Sinjah, Displacement Continues

The Sudanese army has dismissed reports of the RSF holding Sinjah, the capital of Sennar state, insisting that its troops are in fierce fighting against the invading paramilitary group.

The RSF had stated on Saturday evening that they overpowered the 17th Infantry Division headquarters in Sennar state after attacking the southeast city.

Before the attack, the RSF had assembled in the mountainous region of Moya west of Sennar before moving north to Sinjah which is about 60 kilometres south of Sennar city.

The only official information regarding the situation in Sennar was given by the armed forces’ spokesperson, Nabil Abdallah, who stated that “our forces in Sinjah are steadfast, cohesive, and fighting the enemy with determination and high morale.”

“Our forces in Sinjah are holding their positions, and their morale is soaring,” he assured, which directly dismisses the RSF’s claims of the control.

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The statement arrived after numerous contradictory reports and much debate over the military developments in Sinjah on various social media platforms.

Nevertheless, the residents who fled the area said there were many RSF in the area, with large check-points put up on the national highway to Abu Hugar in the south and on the road to Sennar in the north.

Reports from witnesses also reveal avenues towards Al-Rusayris in the Blue Nile region and within Sinjah’s neighbourhoods, revealing the RSF checkpoints with soldiers nearby the Olympic stadium, violations against which those heading towards the south and east are alleged to be receiving.

Sunday morning, the army bombed the headquarters of the 17th Infantry Division, the General Intelligence Service (GIS) buildings, and the guest house.

However, the fighting has led to displacement, involving groups of people moving to Gedaref and the Blue Nile in the extreme south. Other areas that have received many refugees include areas in Al-Dinder, El-Suki, Abu Hugar, Karkoj, Wad Al-Nil. It has been reported that the RSF commits violence against the refugees and steals money, phones, and cars from them.