Today's Edition
ASMA AL-HUSSAINI (KHARTOUM)
Sudanese forces and experts have condemned the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the widespread targeting and destruction of infrastructure, after the recent targeting of the Shambat Bridge, which connects the city of Omdurman with northern Khartoum.
The targeting of the bridge, which was built in 1966 and plays a vital role in the transportation of people and goods, followed the signing of an agreement in Jeddah by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, mediated by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The agreement, which focuses on humanitarian issues and confidence-building measures, has been met with mutual accusations of responsibility for the destruction of the Shambat Bridge.
Sudanese forces and leaders consider the destruction of the vital Shambat Bridge, as well as previous attacks on hospitals and oil refineries, as regrettable, highlighting the seriousness of the situation in Sudan and the parties’ failure to honour their agreements.
Salah Jalal, a leader in the National Umma Party, told Aletihad that there is a clear targeting of facilities and infrastructure in Khartoum, such as Khartoum Airport, the building of the Nile Petroleum Company, the Presidential Palace, and several large factories. He emphasised the need to stop the war and identify the parties responsible for destroying these facilities.
Unionist leader Mohammed Hamad Saeed told Aletihad that the destruction of the Shambat Bridge, which happened after the agreement in Jeddah, is a very negative indicator for the agreement’s implementation.
Yasir Arman, a leader in the Forces of Freedom and Change, called for the formation of an independent regional and international investigation committee to identify the real culprit behind the destruction of vital facilities and the devastation of Khartoum.
He stated that this perpetrator would be found sooner rather than later.
Sudanese writer and political analyst Wael Mahjoub told Aletihad that the targeting of the Shambat Bridge aims to obstruct progress in implementing the requirements of the Jeddah talks and create complications on the ground, making the process of building trust between the conflicting parties a distant goal.
Mahjoub sees the targeting of the Shambat Bridge as a precursor to a significant and comprehensive military escalation. He expects intense fighting to escalate on various fronts, predicting worse outcomes in the war’s path and the destruction of infrastructure and citizen property.
He added that an intervention by the Jeddah mediation parties could help compel the conflicting sides to adhere to their commitments in taking genuine confidence-building measures and forwarding the dialogue regarding ceasefire procedures and measures.
