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Map of Tuti island in red.

Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, Tuti Island, located at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles in Khartoum, has been severely affected. The island has been under siege, becoming a key battleground as it provides a strategic location for artillery fire by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The situation on Tuti Island has deteriorated rapidly, with residents facing looting, intimidation, and a collapse of basic services.

Fighting in Khartoum, especially between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, has intensified in recent months. As the conflict dragged on, Tuti Island's residents have suffered from acute shortages of food, medicine, and basic necessities (source: X).

We spoke with locals who managed to flee the area, and they shared alarming accounts of widespread arrests, attacks, and looting carried out by RSF forces. According to their testimonies, shops and individual homes were frequently targeted, with residents subjected to violence and robbery. Additionally, all pharmacies on the island were destroyed, further depriving the community of essential medical supplies.

Armed robberies and home invasions have become commonplace, exacerbating the hardships of civilians trapped on the island. The RSF has looted community kitchens, which had become the primary source of food for many families, further compounding the crisis.

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We geolocated a video showing RSF personnel positioned at the entrance of Tuti Bridge. By comparing the footage with satellite imagery, we were able to confirm the exact location. This analysis further corroborates the presence of RSF forces at strategic points on the island, aligning with reports of their control over key access routes and infrastructure.

We spoke to several locals who shared that leaving the island has become extremely challenging. The RSF must grant permission for residents to exit, and their personnel often demand exorbitant fees for this privilege. While residents are occasionally allowed to leave, they are typically required to use small fishing boats to navigate the Nile, further complicating the evacuation process.

Efforts to evacuate residents have faced significant obstacles. The island is largely cut off, with the RSF controlling movement across Tuti Bridge, and residents report being charged exorbitant fees to leave or being held for ransom. Several calls for international intervention have been made, with humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross urged to assist in evacuating civilians. However, the situation remains dire, with disease outbreaks and widespread malnutrition taking their toll on the population.

https://x.com/yasin123ah/status/1777989972701626640 [1] [2]

The broader context of the conflict has seen ongoing urban warfare throughout Khartoum, and Tuti Island's proximity to key military targets has made it a hotspot in this larger struggle. The humanitarian crisis is worsening as clashes between the SAF and RSF continue unabated, with no immediate resolution in sight.

In recent weeks, the situation has worsened. Residents have made desperate pleas for evacuation as the island faces what many describe as a slow-moving humanitarian disaster. Disease outbreaks, including cholera, have added to the crisis, and with no electricity and dwindling healthcare services, life on Tuti has become increasingly unbearable. The community has resorted to burying the dead under RSF surveillance, while the population suffers from extreme hunger and thirst.

Humanitarian organizations have struggled to provide aid due to the ongoing fighting and siege conditions. With the war escalating, Tuti Island’s population is increasingly vulnerable, and international intervention has been repeatedly called for by local committees and residents alike.

Tuti Island Under Siege Amid Sudan’s Conflict

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