Sudan Army Outnumbered in Khartoum Conflict

The Sudanese army's infantry battalions have been largely absent from the streets of Khartoum during the two-month conflict, leaving much of the capital under the control of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is heavily armed and controls key sites in and around the three cities, including the main oil terminal, state media's headquarters, and much of the international airport. The army, which is twice the size of the RSF, has been carrying out strikes to weaken the paramilitaries but has not prevented their advance. The army is bedevilled by Sudan's history of racism, slavery, and colonialism, and many soldiers earn a mere $11 to $16 a month.