Sudan's paramilitary RSF shelled Khartoum's presidential palace, marking their second attack in a week. The RSF is focusing on consolidating control in Darfur and captured the town of El-Nuhud in West Kordofan, complicating army efforts to relieve besieged forces in El-Fasher. The conflict has caused widespread displacement and civilian casualties, dividing Sudan between army-controlled territories in the north, east, and center, and RSF-controlled areas in the west and south.

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled the presidential palace in Khartoum on Thursday, marking their second bombardment of the capital in less than a week, according to an army source. The RSF launched long-range artillery at the palace from the Al-Salha district across the White Nile, which is the closest position they've held since the army regained control of Khartoum in March. The source, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, noted that no immediate casualties were reported from the shelling. This attack followed a similar bombardment on the army's General Command headquarters in Khartoum on Saturday.

The RSF has been at war with Sudan's regular army since April 2023, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of 13 million people.

Since losing Khartoum in April, the RSF has focused on consolidating control in the western region of Darfur, with the city of El-Fasher, the last significant population center under the army's control in the area, facing increasing pressure. On Thursday, the RSF announced it had captured the desert town of El-Nuhud in West Kordofan state, a strategic location on the road to Darfur. According to witnesses, RSF fighters entered El-Nuhud from the north and west early in the morning.

In a video shared on Telegram, an RSF spokesperson claimed that the fighters had "liberated" the town, which is located 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of El-Fasher.

The army had not provided an immediate comment on the situation. If the loss of El-Nuhud is confirmed, it would significantly hinder the army's ability to relieve its besieged garrison in El-Fasher. Any potential relief convoy for troops and allied militias under RSF attack in El-Fasher would have to pass through El-Nuhud.

The RSF has intensified its assault on El-Fasher in recent weeks, capturing two nearby displacement camps and subjecting the city to heavy artillery bombardments.

The RSF's offensive has triggered the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians from already overburdened camps, where they have been enduring severe food shortages. The United Nations reported that at least 542 civilians have been killed in North Darfur in the past three weeks alone.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk described the situation as "horrifying," saying in a statement that the violence unfolding in Sudan is without bounds. Meanwhile, further east, RSF drones struck an army base in the southern city of Kosti, causing loud explosions as four missiles hit the base in White Nile state. The army responded with anti-aircraft fire.

As of now, the conflict has essentially divided Sudan into two territories: the army controls the north, east, and center, while the RSF holds nearly all of the west and significant parts of the south.