WASHINGTON: A top US intelligence official said on Thursday that the fighting between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is “likely to be protracted” as the two sides believe they can prevail army and have few incentives to talks.
Top US Official and Sudan
According to Reuters, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines has presented an assessment about the conflict to the US Senate Armed Services Committee.
Haines said that the fighting in between the armed forces and the RSF is likely to be protracted in Sudan. The current violence, Haines said is worsening “already dire humanitarian conditions” and forced aid organizations to restrain operations amid growing fears of “huge refugee flows.”
The United Nations has also pressed the warring parties to guarantee safe and sound passage of aid after 6 trucks were looted.
UN aid head Martin Griffiths hoped to have face-to-face meetings with the two sides within few days in order to secure guarantees from them for aid and relief convoys.
Violent fighting could be heard in Khartoum on Thursday as the army soldiers tried to push back the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from areas around the army headquarters and presidential palace, with a lasting truce appearing elusive.
Each party appears to be battling for control of area in the capital ahead of any possible talks, though the leaders of both sides have shown little willingness to hold dialogue following over two weeks of fighting.
