Sudan's army claims control of state broadcast HQ
March 12, 2024 at 2:09 PM PDT
Sudan's army said on Tuesday (March 12) that it had taken control of the state broadcaster in what would be its most significant advance against its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, in nearly 11 months of war.
A video posted by the army showed some of its troops near the radio and TV building.
It was verified by Reuters using buildings, including the domes and minarets of the Khalifa mosque, which matched with previous footage and satellite imagery.
The broadcast building lies in Omdurman, a city across the River Nile from the capital Khartoum.
It has seen heavy fighting around military bases, bridges and supply routes.
War erupted between the army and the RSF in April last year.
The two sides had fallen out of a plan for transitioning to civilian rule.
The conflict has devastated the capital, led to waves of ethnically driven killings in the western Darfur region, and created the world's biggest displacement crisis.
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Battles have continued despite a truce call from the United Nations Security Council during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on Monday (March 11).
That was to allow much-needed humanitarian aid into the country.
The RSF had welcomed the truce call.
However, a senior army general, citing gains in Omdurman, said a ceasefire could only take place if the RSF withdrew from civilian and public sites.
The army has been on the back foot for much of the conflict.
However, the capture of the state broadcast building would extend its control from the north across "old Omdurman".
The RSF, which made no immediate comment, retains southern and western areas of the city.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/sudans-army-claims-control-state-210938444.html