Clashes between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) grew more intense on Sunday, as the battle in the country's capital and western regions entered its 12th week, with no signs of a peaceful resolution in sight.
Air and artillery strikes and small arms fire could be heard, notably in Omdurman and Khartoum, as the conflict escalates into a humanitarian crisis and threatens to engulf other regional interests.
The RSF claimed to have shot down an army warplane and a drone in Bahri, but the army did not immediately comment.
On the ground, the RSF has dominated the capital and has been accused of plundering and occupying houses, while the army has concentrated on air and artillery strikes.
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Last week, Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan urged young men to join the war against the RSF, and the army shared images of fresh recruits on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Sudanese Doctors Union accused the RSF of raiding and killing a staff member at the Shuhada hospital, one of the few remaining in operation. The RSF refuted the charge.
The battle has also ravaged cities in western Kordofan and Darfur, particularly El Geneina, the westernmost city, where the RSF and Arab militias have been accused of ethnic cleansing.
The Combating Violence Against Women Unit, a government organization, stated on Saturday that it had registered 88 cases of sexual assault in Khartoum, El Geneina, and Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, with victims alleging the RSF in most cases.
Talks hosted in Jeddah and funded by the US and Saudi Arabia were postponed last month, while an East African mediation attempt was criticized by the army, who accused Kenya of prejudice.
Although no official initiatives have been revealed, army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy on the country's Sovereign Council, Malik Agar, voiced openness to any mediation efforts by Turkey or Russia last week.
