Sudan's Burhan is overseeing the Khartoum offensive from the front

October 2, 2024 (OMDURMAN) – Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is stationed between Omdurman and the Kadru military zone north of Khartoum Bahri for five days, overseeing an offensive to retake the capital from rival paramilitary forces.

The army launched a major ground operation last Thursday, supported by air and artillery strikes, pushing across the White Nile bridges from Omdurman to Khartoum and securing a foothold in Moqran district.

This advance allowed troops to cross the Halfaya Bridge from northern Omdurman, link up with forces in the Kadru Military Zone, and gain control of the Halfaya suburb. Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters retreated south to Shambat.

Burhan visited the 3rd Infantry Division in Shendi to assess operations hours after the RSF drone strike on the base. Shendi is about 150 km (93 miles) north of Khartoum.

Army and allied forces are also trying to capture the Khartoum oil refinery in al-Jaili, about 70 km (43 miles) north of the capital. The refinery has been under the control of RSF since the conflict broke out in mid-April.

Burhan visited Kadru and the Hattab military base, his first time in the area since the start of the war. He also met with residents of the town of East Nile.

The Sovereign Council said Burhan inspected the front lines for five days, without naming locations. It was later reported that he visited intelligence forces and civilians in Omdurman. Video footage showed him interacting with residents in al-Thawra district.

A source close to the army told Sudan Tribune that Burhan would be closer to operations around the refinery and other key fronts in Khartoum and Khartoum Bahri.

Securing the refinery would protect the army's supply lines and allow it to retake Khartoum Bahri, link forces in Kadru and Hattab with those south of the city and break the siege of the army command headquarters in Khartoum, the source said.

Army troops advancing into Khartoum established positions in government buildings in Moqran previously used by RSF snipers and neutralized other sniper positions in the area, the source added.