In a once-luxurious apartment overlooking the Blue Nile, Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan monitors his targets amidst a backdrop of destruction and war. Following a military coup that led to civil war, the conflict rages on as his unit strives to reclaim Khartoum, though challenges persist with lasting impacts visible throughout the city.
Inside the Turmoil: A Sniper's Perspective in Sudan's Conflict
Inside the Turmoil: A Sniper's Perspective in Sudan's Conflict
A glimpse into the life of a Sudanese Army sniper shows the harsh realities amidst ongoing battles between the military and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum.
In One Image: The Sniper’s Nest, by Ivor Prickett and Peter Robins
Amid the chaos gripping Sudan, the commander of a sniper team, Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan of the Sudanese Army, takes refuge in a once luxurious apartment building turned battleground. Positioned strategically on the top floor, he overlooks the Blue Nile, where members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) are within reach. Nearby, the presidential palace stands as a relic of power, just across the river.
This photograph captures a poignant moment, the bedroom wall permanently marked by repeated sniper fire. In an effort to remain undetected, all light bulbs have been removed — a precaution against revealing their location. At this time, Hassan watches patiently, his shooting ear protectors resting neatly beside him, while a bare mattress in the corner offers a place for quick rest between battles. Yet, for security, he and his team retreat into the building's depths when sleep calls.
The city of Khartoum has drastically changed in recent years. Once a promising landscape of emerging democracy, it has unraveled following a military coup and the intense conflict between the army and the R.S.F. Since April 2023, the R.S.F. seized control of much of the capital. In a recent counteroffensive, the Sudanese Army, along with allied militias, has begun to reclaim territory in the northern and eastern parts of the city, culminating in a significant military event: the reclaiming of the presidential palace.
Despite this reported advancement, experts caution that these victories may not signal an end to the turmoil. The war's toll has already left Khartoum in ruins, with analysts doubting the prospect of peaceful resolution in the near future, as the fighting continues to devastate the city’s landscape and its populace.
