In a significant development in the war-torn country of Sudan, paramilitary forces have reportedly captured the state capital of Sennar in the country's southeast. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the liberation of the 17th Infantry Division from Singa, marking a strategic victory for their ongoing battle against Sudan's army.

According to reports, the RSF has been steadily gaining control over territories in Sudan, particularly in the eastern and western parts of the country's south. They already have a strong presence in the Darfur region, except for the city of el-Fasher, which is still under the control of the army and allied groups.

Although the Sudanese army does not dispute the RSF's claim of capturing the 17th Infantry Division, they maintain that their forces remain in the city and continue to engage in combat. Witnesses have confirmed the presence of clashes, prompting many civilians to flee Singa in recent days.

Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. This prolonged violence has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, the displacement of millions, and a dire humanitarian crisis.

The RSF's latest advancement further tightens their grip on the country, as they edge closer to Port Sudan, where the army, government, and United Nations agencies are now headquartered. Currently, the RSF controls key areas such as Khartoum, Gezira state, the vast Darfur region, and significant parts of Kordofan in the south.

Sennar state, where the captured capital is located, is home to over a million displaced Sudanese, serving as a vital connection between central Sudan and the army-controlled southeast. Disturbing posts on social media depict a mass exodus, with thousands of people fleeing Singa by vehicle or on foot. Many have sought refuge on the eastern bank of the Blue Nile river.

Additionally, the RSF forces are reportedly besieging el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, intensifying the pressure on the remaining strategic stronghold held by the army and their allies.

As the conflict rages on, a global hunger monitor recently released a report highlighting the dire food insecurity crisis in Sudan. It estimated that nearly 26 million people in the country are currently experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, further exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

The capture of the state capital by the paramilitary forces marks a significant turn in the conflict, with the RSF steadily expanding their control across Sudan. The implications of these developments for the future of the country and its people remain uncertain, as the battle for dominance and stability continues.