In the wake of escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in Sudan, Khartoum is facing a precarious future as residents grapple with the aftermath of violence and instability. As air traffic remains jeopardized by attacks from the Rapid Support Forces, many citizens are left to navigate the challenging landscape of destruction and economic hardship. This situation reflects a broader humanitarian crisis, underscoring the urgent need for support and reconstruction efforts in the region.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have intensified their attacks in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, targeting the main airport with drones for four consecutive days. This escalation comes as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), aligned with the government, seek to restore air traffic after regaining control of the city several months ago. Residents near Khartoum International Airport reported hearing drones and surface-to-air missiles in the early hours of Friday morning, followed by loud explosions.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the airport sustained significant damage from the strikes. These recent assaults mark an unsettling series of events that began on Tuesday, just before the airport was set to reopen for the first time in nearly two years due to ongoing conflict. A plane operated by Badr Airlines managed to land on Wednesday, but airport officials indicated that the reopening has since been postponed indefinitely because of the continued attacks.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hiba Morgan, reporting from the scene, noted that although authorities announced operations would resume on October 26, skepticism remains about the feasibility of this plan. The ongoing war, which erupted in April 2023, has left tens of thousands dead, displaced around 12 million, and rendered 30 million people in need of humanitarian aid, making it one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises.
Following the military’s recapture of Khartoum from the RSF in March, many residents have cautiously returned to their neighborhoods, only to find their homes in ruins. Alfatih Bashir, a resident in Omdurman who built his house using all his savings, now faces the harsh reality of collapsed ceilings and walls. “I built it when I was working abroad,” said Bashir, expressing despair over his lack of funds for repairs. “How can I even start to rebuild?”
Assessments are ongoing to determine the extent of housing damage across Khartoum, but signs of the conflict’s toll are evident throughout the city. Another resident, Afaf Khamed, recalled the emotional impact of seeing her childhood home in shambles. “We can’t rebuild because we don’t have anyone to help us,” she lamented.
The instability of the local currency has rendered reconstruction nearly impossible, even for those with jobs amidst the turmoil. Since the outbreak of conflict in April, the Sudanese pound has plummeted dramatically against the dollar, exacerbating the challenges faced by families striving to recover. Shop owner Mohammed Ali noted that the slow delivery of construction materials, often hampered by security checks, has made rebuilding even more costly and difficult.
While the Sudanese government has pledged to undertake the reconstruction of the capital, its focus thus far has been predominantly on state institutions, leaving residents to navigate the path to recovery largely on their own. As efforts to stabilize the region continue, the resilience and determination of the people of Sudan shine through amid adversity, highlighting the need for comprehensive support and solidarity in rebuilding their lives.
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