The Sniper’s Nest: A Commander’s Vigil in a War-Torn Sudan

The article presents an image of the commander of a sniper team in the Sudanese Army, Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan, as he targets paramilitary forces across the Blue Nile. It highlights the deterioration of a luxury apartment building, the desperate conditions of warfare, and the backdrop of a nation facing severe unrest following a military coup and civil war.

The image captures the commander of a sniper team within the Sudanese Army targeting members of the Rapid Support Forces across the Blue Nile. Notably visible is the Commander, Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan, positioned in a room where the walls show signs of firing and wear, portraying the tension and decay caused by conflict.

The luxury apartment has been stripped of its former beauty; all light bulbs are gone, likely removed by either looters or soldiers. The meticulous effort to avoid visibility highlights the urgency and danger inherent to the sniper’s role. While observing, Sgt. Maj. Hassan has his ear protectors ready, indicating preparation for action, although he now rests from the front lines.

Once a sought-after riverside location, this area has seen a dramatic transformation following a military coup and nearly two years of civil unrest, pitting the army against the Rapid Support Forces. The context of the photograph, taken on March 12, illustrates the Blue Nile as the new front line, with the apartment block situated along the northern bank, opposite the historically significant presidential palace on the southern bank.

The photograph delineates the stark realities faced by the Sudanese Army sniper teams as they navigate warfare in a formerly affluent location. Displaying elements of both warfare and the impact of civil conflict, the image portrays the somber transformation of a once-thriving capital, reinforcing the serious implications of ongoing instability in Sudan.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com