Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 

174 Civilians Killed,1041 Injured in Sudan, in the Five Days of Fighting Between the Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces

April 19, 2023 

Sudanese army soldiers and Al-Kabashi, April 18, 2023 Fighting between the Sudanese army the RSF soldiers continues in the capital Khurtoom, April 19, 2023

Smoke in the sky after attacks in Suba southern Khartoum on April 15, 2023	Smoke rising in the sky of Khartoum, after attacks in Sudan between the army and the rapid forces, on April 16, 2023

 

‎Renewed clashes despite the "truce" and clouds of smoke covering the sky of Khartoum ‎

‎ Al-Taghyeer, April 19, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

‎Armed confrontations between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces renewed in the capital, Khartoum, today, despite talk of a truce taking effect from Tuesday evening.‎

‎Khartoum: Change‎

‎Violent clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces continued for the fifth consecutive day in Khartoum, and heavy weapons were heard since five in the morning, and thick smoke clouds covered the sky of the capital.‎

‎This comes despite the announcement of a humanitarian truce from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening, where the two sides did not commit to implementing it, while exchanging accusations of violating it.‎

‎The two sides had pledged, on Tuesday, to abide by a 24-hour truce starting from six o'clock yesterday evening, but it was aborted before it began, as clashes renewed and continued late at night, before resuming at dawn on Wednesday.‎

‎Violent explosions were reported in the vicinity of the General Command on Wednesday, and a heavy exchange of fire was heard in the vicinity of the radio and television building and Khartoum airport, while eyewitnesses reported that fuel tanks ignited inside the airport.‎

‎Strong clashes also broke out at the Rapid Support Camp Kafouri in Khartoum North, while a Sudanese Air Force aircraft flew north of Omdurman.‎

‎New Attack‎

‎"For the fifth consecutive day, the armed forces are repelling a new attack on the perimeter of the General Command, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and destroying a number of combat vehicles," the army said in a statement today.‎

‎He added: «It was very easy to deal with the bombing of rebel gatherings of the air force inside its positions in central Khartoum and eliminate the rebellion in hours, but the armed forces cannot take this path and put people's lives at stake and this is the difference between national armies and militias».‎

‎He added: "We still renew the call for the Rapid Support personnel to surrender themselves to the nearest military unit and join its ranks to get out of this state of rebellion and to get rid of this unfortunate situation."‎

‎On Saturday, fierce fighting broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in the capital Khartoum before spreading to different parts of the country, leaving about 180 dead and more than a thousand wounded.‎

‎In parallel with the ongoing military battles between the army and the Rapid Support, a war of statements has erupted between the two sides, each of which is racing to assert its control over the field situation.‎

‎There is difficulty in examining information received from the parties, as both claim to have taken the security initiative, and it is not possible to obtain information from independent sources.‎

‎Yesterday, the army accused regional and internal parties - which it did not name - of involvement in the war in the country since last Saturday.‎

‎He pointed out in a statement that the general situation is stable, except for what he described as limited skirmishes in the vicinity of the command area and the airport in Khartoum.‎

‎While the army accused the RSF of attempting to carry out acts of looting and looting, the latter responded by accusing it of bombing a medical facility in Khartoum North.‎

تجدد الاشتباكات رغم «الهدنة» وسحب الدخان تغطي سماء الخرطوم - صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان (altaghyeer.info)

***

‎Civilian casualties of the army and RSF war in Sudan increase ‎

‎Al-Taghyeer, April 18, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

Medical Syndicate ‎

‎A recent statistic revealed an ‎‎increase‎‎ in the number of civilian casualties as a result of the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.‎

‎Khartoum: Change‎

‎The preliminary committee of the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate announced that the number of civilian casualties since the beginning of the clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has risen to 174 civilian deaths and 1041 injuries.‎

‎Fighting between the two sides broke out at dawn last Saturday (April 15th) in the capital Khartoum before spreading to different parts of the country.‎

‎The media office of the Doctors' Syndicate Committee noted in its sixth field report, Wednesday, that clashes are still ongoing between the two parties, and resulted in more victims being counted in the capital and the regions.‎

‎The report of the fourth day, April 18, monitored 30 civilian deaths and 245 cases, including many unstable cases.‎

‎He stated that there are a number of injuries and deaths that are not included in the count, and she was unable to reach hospitals due to the difficulty of movement and the security situation in the country.‎

‎The report stated that there were 3 deaths in the city of Khartoum, in addition to 11 injuries, and in the city of Bahri 5 deaths and 45 injuries, while the city of Omdurman witnessed 18 injuries.‎

‎In the regions, 6 deaths were recorded in the city of Nyala and 36 cases, the city of El Fasher 9 deaths and 36 cases, and the city of Zalingei 5 deaths and 60 cases.‎

‎The city of Dongola witnessed two cases, and the city of Al-Obeid (2) deaths and (9) cases.‎

‎The report said: "This increases the number of civilian casualties since the beginning of the clashes on April 15, 2023 until the time of the publication of the report for 174 deaths - 1041 injuries.‎

‎A number of health and medical institutions and facilities were shelled with heavy weapons.‎

‎UN officials have condemned the targeting of health facilities during the four days of fighting in the country.‎

‎The bombardment comes despite the announcement of a twenty-four-hour truce between the two fighting parties, the Army and the Rapid Support, mediated by the United States.‎

‎All of this is accompanied by widespread cuts to electricity and water services in much of the capital, with fears that markets and shops will run out of goods.‎

تزايد عدد الضحايا المدنيين لحرب الجيش والدعم السريع في السودان - صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان (altaghyeer.info)

***Sudanese army accuses two neighbours of supporting RSF

Sudan Tribune, April 18, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

On Tuesday, Shams al-Din Kabbashi, a member of the Transitional Sovereign Council in Sudan, accused two neighbouring countries of providing military support to the Rapid Support Forces (SRF).

International and regional organisations have called for an immediate end of the fighting in the capital Khartoum between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces. They also called for non-external intervention that may prolong the suffering of civilians.

In a telephone interview with Al-Hadath and Al-Arabiya  TV channels on Tuesday, Kabbashi said that the RSF received supplies and weapons from one and the other sought to support them unsuccessfully.

“We have confirmed information that two neighbouring countries are providing support to the Rapid Support Forces, one of which is located in the west”.

Two planes delivered ammunition and supplies that were transported to another area. In addition, there was another attempt to land a third plane at Merowe airport, according to Kabbashi.

Without naming the countries involved in the ongoing war in Sudan, he hinted that the support came also from non-state armed actors who have sufficient autonomy and power.

“We regret that some countries carry out these actions, even if they are carried out by groups not under the control of those countries. The state is responsible in one way or another for the actions of its citizens, even if they are rebellious”.

He further disclosed that the two planes of western Sudan, in fact, “landed in a border area outside of Sudan and transported goods and supplies to a location within Sudanese territory.”

Chad and the Central African Republic are two countries that border Sudan in the west and southwest.

Experts and observers have warned against regional destabilisation as there are already armed conflicts in Libya and the Central African Republic and a fragile government in Chad between them.

 

Kiir, al-Sisi intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure ceasefire in Sudan

Sudan Tribune, April 18, 2023 (JUBA) –

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are increasing their diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with rival leaders in Sudan.

Tut Gatluak, South Sudan’s presidential adviser on security affairs, told Sudan Tribune that the conflict in Sudan has attracted global attention, causing President Kiir to closely monitor the situation and engage with rival leaders to accept a ceasefire agreement that permits humanitarian intervention.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit has been talking to regional leaders since Sunday. He has now escalated these efforts. he has spoken to the Egyptian president again yesterday (Monday).

He had also spoken to the Kenyan, Ethiopian, Uganda, and other leaders and heads of key international institutions about the situation in Sudan.

Kiir expressed a strong desire to mediate the ceasefire proposed by the heads of state and government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), according to the security adviser.

President Kiir has assured Sudanese leaders of South Sudan’s willingness to assist in securing opportunities for constructive dialogue that prioritize peace and enhance the democratic approach.

Tut Gatluak said he is optimistic that the conflicting Sudanese parties will refrain from violence and instead rely on democratic principles to enhance opportunities for dialogue and maintain peace, justice, and life.

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital Khartoum and adjoining cities erupted on Saturday morning, following days of tension over the RSF’s integration into the army.

Kiir, al-Sisi intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure ceasefire in Sudan - Sudan Tribune

***

97 people killed during two days as Sudanese belligerents continue to battle

Sudan Tribune, April 17, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

 At least 97 civilians have been killed in Sudan since the outbreak of armed conflict in the Sudanese capital between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15.

On Sunday, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) intensified its attacks on the RSF positions in the capital Khartoum and different regions using aeroplanes and heavy weapons.

In a statement on Monday morning, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) said that 41 civilians were killed on Sunday, the second day of fighting.

Additionally, the independent medical group said that the number of civilian and military injuries who were brought to hospitals on the same day reached 347 people.

“Thus, the number of civilian deaths since the beginning of the clashes reached 97, while the number of injuries since the beginning of these events has reached 942, including both civilians and military personnel.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), supplies distributed to health facilities prior to the conflict are now exhausted, and many of the nine hospitals in Khartoum receiving injured civilians are reporting shortages of blood, transfusion equipment, intravenous fluids, medical supplies, and other life-saving commodities.

“There are also reports of shortages of specialized medical personnel, including anesthesiologists,” WHO added.

The capital experiences water and power shortages that are affecting the functionality of health facilities. Also, shortages of fuel are impacting the hospital generators.

Some cell phone companies shut down for several hours on Sunday.

The Sudanese army on Sunday said they retook control of Merowe airport and seven RSF bases in Khartoum, Port Sudan, Kassala, Gedaref, Damazin, Kosti, and Kadugli.

16 hospitals in Khartoum out of service as some bombed

Sudan Tribune, April 17, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – 

The Doctors Syndicate Steering Committee in Sudan on Monday reported that 16 hospitals in Khartoum and other cities across the country are out of service, some of which have been bombed.

The head of the committee, Heba Omer, told Sudan Tribune that Al-Shaab, Ibn Sina, Bashaer, and Bahri hospitals were among those bombed, while the Turkish hospital was attacked.

Several hospitals were evacuated, including Al-Shaab, Ibn Sina, Bashaer, Al-Turki, Al-Zaytouna, Imperial, Al-Shorta, Bahri, and Dr Salma Center for Kidney Diseases, and others, such as Fadil, Al-Barahah, and Haj Al-Safi, were out of service.

The clashes, which began on Saturday between the army and Rapid Support Forces, have resulted in the deaths of 180 people and injuries to 1,800 others.

Khartoum residents are struggling to provide aid to those injured during the indiscriminate firing of bullets and shells. The situation also makes it difficult to bury the dead, which could lead to an environmental disaster.

The hospitals are facing severe shortages of medical staff, anesthesiologists, and supplies, including water, food, and fuel for generators.

The Royal Care Hospital may close due to the shortage of resources, and the Ibrahim Malik Hospital is affected by the interruption of generator fuel, while Al-Faisal Hospital faces a water shortage.

The steering committee warned that the hospitals’ deterioration is unprecedented and could lead to the collapse of the entire health sector.

Large and specialized hospitals have been forced to close due to bombing or evacuation by conflicting military forces.

The Karima Teaching Hospital in northern Sudan has exceeded its capacity and is experiencing an acute shortage of medical personnel and supplies, including water, food, and medicine.

Also, El-Geneina Hospital, El-Daman Hospital, Merowe Military Hospital, and Al-Daman Specialist Hospital have also been evacuated or closed.

Sudanese army evacuates Nyala neighborhoods as fighting continues

Sudan Tribune, April 17, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

The Sudanese army has evacuated residents of several neighbourhoods in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of military sites near the command centre of the 16th Infantry Division.

Since yesterday, the South Darfur capital has witnessed violent clashes between the army and the RSF, in which heavy weapons were used. The battles centred around the military headquarters of both sides, in addition to Nyala International Airport, which was controlled by the RSF.

A statement issued by the Coordination of the Resistance Committees of the city of Nyala and received by Sudan Tribune said that “the army asked residents of most neighbourhoods in the city centre to leave their areas for safe alternative locations.”

In addition, residents of Nyala who spoke to Sudan Tribune claimed that their neighbourhoods were subjected to widespread looting, in addition to the shops in the Mawqif al-Jeneina and al-Maljah market as well as the headquarters of a number of international organizations operating in the state, including UNICEF and the UNHCR.

In the city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, Mustafa Suleiman, a paramedic who works at El Fasher Teaching Hospital, told Sudan Tribune that the hospital received more than 50 people who were seriously injured as a result of the clashes.

Suleiman revealed a shortage of medical supplies and medical personnel.

“We received calls about dead bodies dumped on the roads and injured people who could not reach the hospital for treatment due to the closure of the roads by the armed forces of the army and Rapid Support,” he said.

***

Sudanese army captures seven RSF bases

Sudan Tribune, April 16, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

The Sudanese army reported that it had captured the headquarters of the Rapid Support Forces in six cities and the Karari base in Khartoum.

The clashes between the two belligerents continued in various parts of Khartoum and other cities, where heavy weapons, artillery shelling, and warplanes were used.

In a press release seen by the Sudan Tribune, the army stated that it had taken control of RSF militia bases and headquarters in Port Sudan, Kassala, Gedaref, Damazin, Kosti, and Kadugli.

The army also announced that they had taken over the largest RSF base in the Karari area, northern Omdurman of Khartoum state along with vehicles, weapons, and equipment.

The RSF, however, claimed that foreign interference caused an attack on their forces in Port Sudan and reported shooting down a Sukhoi plane and a drone in Khartoum. They also claimed to have seized the navy forces’ headquarters at the army command, which the army denied.

The army headquarters in Khartoum, which includes various buildings such as the Staff Command, Air Force, Navy, and Ground Forces Command, experienced a fire outbreak in the Ground Forces Command headquarters, while clashes occurred in the nearby Buri area of the General Command.

The army denied that the Rapid Support Forces had taken control of or approached the General Command headquarters and stated that the fire was caused by the morning clashes, which were eventually brought under control without any harm.

َThe Sudanese army speaks about ending the RSF insurgency in the coming hours as they use now tanks and but observers say the military operations may take several days.

Also, Chad decided to close the border with Sudan until further notice to avoid the spread of the conflict into its territory, as some RSF garrisons continue to resist the Sudanese army.

Sudanese army captures seven RSF bases - Sudan Tribune

Al-Burhan says he was surprised by RSF attack on his house

Sudan Tribune, April 15, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

The head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said he was surprised by the attack of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on his house in Khartoum.

Fighting flared up in the Sudanese capital between the national army and the paramilitary forces on Saturday morning as the two sides traded accusations over who started hostilities.

In statements to Al-Jazeera TV, al-Burhan and his rival leader of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Daglo ‘Hemetti’ sought to clear themselves of the political responsibility for the fighting that erupted in the country.

In the afternoon, al-Burhan spoke from an unknown location in Khartoum to the Doha-based TV station. He appeared with Shams al-Din Kabbashi in a command room supervising military operations.

According to the commander-in-chief of the army, the Rapid Support Forces were the ones who started shooting and they attacked the army in the Sports City area, south of Khartoum.

“I was surprised when the Rapid Support Forces attacked my house at 9:00 am,” adding that “all the strategic facilities of the Army General Command and the Republican Palace are under the control of government forces.”

It is worth mentioning that al-Burhan’s residence is located inside the headquarters of the General Command of the Army.

Clashes between the army and the paramilitary forces continue as the two sides release statements about the positions they captured or recaptured, but it remains very difficult to verify their accuracy due to the continued fighting in Khartoum.

Also, the official radio and TV stations have stopped broadcasting since this morning as their offices have been guarded by the RSF forces since the collapse of the former regime in April 2019.

For his part, the RSF commander told Al-Jazeera TV that al-Burhan forced them to fight when Sudanese army troops attacked his positions in Sports City on Saturday morning.

“We were surprised by very large forces that surrounded our troops in the Sports City and closed the streets and bridges. This means that they carried out a coup.”

“We regret fighting against our people from the armed forces, but this criminal forced us into this battle,” he said.

Hemetti vehemently added that the ongoing fighting was planned by the Islamists who want to rule the country again.

He went further to say that he had told all the (Sudanese) parties and the (international) QUAD for Sudan that “Burhan will not sign the (final political) agreement because he is a liar and a criminal who destroyed Sudan.”

Observers in Khartoum agree that the deployment of the RSF forces in Merowe precipitated the battles between the two sides. The army several times denounced the movements of the paramilitary forces without coordination with them.

Sudanese army spokesman Nabil Abdlallah, for his part, strongly rejected Hemetti’s accusations, stressing that it was the RSF that started hostilities.

“The Sudan Armed Forces have endured a lot of provocative behaviours by the Rapid Support Forces, and if they want to start aggression, they will not wait today,” Abdallah said.

“The RSF attacked our forces at the Sports City and other areas in an attempt to seize strategic sites,” he said.

Fighting broke out in Sudan between national army and RSF militiamen

Sudan Tribune, April 15, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

The Rapid Support Forces said on Saturday that they took control of several strategic positions in Khartoum amid conflicting reports about who started hostilities.

Clashes broke out in Khartoum and northern Sudan between the army and the RSF on Saturday morning after statements by some former rebel leaders speaking about fruitful mediation to avoid military escalations.

The fighting began in the Soba suburb, south of Khartoum, before spreading to the strategic areas in Khartoum including the presidential palace, army command, and neighbourhoods including Jabra, Kafouri, and Shambat, where are some military positions.

Also, clashes took place between the army and the RSF at the Merowe Air Base in northern Sudan.

The RSF militiamen posted videos standing beside some military aircraft, saying they took control of the base which seemed void of troops.

For his part, the army spokesman Nabil Abdallah accused the RSF of launching attacks on its positions.

“The rebel Rapid Support Forces spread lies about attack on their positions to cover up their insurgency,” he further vowed that the army will fight them until to get rid of the rebellion.

Military escalations between the army and the RSF began on Wednesday when the RSF elements arrived in the northern Sudan town claiming that Egypt massed military plans to attack them.

In the early morning, the army said the paramilitary forces attacked their positions in the Sport City of Suba and Merowe.

The RSF claimed they took control of the army command but the army dismissed the statement.

Hemetti, Troika envoy discuss military standoff in northern Sudan

Sudan Tribune, April 13, 2023 (KHARTOUM) –

Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council and Rapid Support  Forces (RSF) Commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemedti” held a telephone meeting with Troika envoys on Thursday in a bid to de-escalate tensions between him and the Sudanese army in Merowe of Northern State.

Peter Lord, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Africa, Sudan, and South Sudan in the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Robert Fairweather UK’s Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, and Jon Anton Johnson Norway’s Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan jointly took part in the virtual meeting with the RSF commander.

According to a statement released by the Sovereign Council, the meeting discussed the current political developments in Sudan and the efforts being made to complete the political process.

“The Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council provided the envoys with an update on the situation in the country. He further emphasized his unwavering commitment to the signed framework agreement and the need for the military institution to disengage from political activities. He also expressed his dedication to promoting stability and supporting Sudan’s democratic transition process,” read the statement.

The Troika envoy did not issue a statement about the meeting. But it intervened after the RSF military escalation with the Sudanese army.

The statement of the Sovereign Council said that the envoys voiced their support for the framework agreement signed on December 5th, which they see as crucial to resolving the crisis and laying the foundation for a future civilian government in the country. 

About 11 civilians killed across Sudan after SAF-RSF clashes

Sudan Tribune, April 15, 2023 (EL FASHER) –

At least 11 people were killed in El Fasher and Nyala of Darfur region and the national capital Khartoum on Saturday, following deadly clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces militiamen (RSF).

The fight erupted on Saturday morning following the deployment of the RSF troops in Merowe Northern State last Wednesday without informing the head of the Sovereign Council and the army’s commander-in-chief.

Mustafa Suleiman, a paramedic at El Fasher Teaching Hospital, informed the Sudan Tribune that “three bodies arrived at the hospital after they died in the “Al-Malja” market due to shells falling during the clashes between the army and the Rapid Support forces near the command of the armed forces.”

He further stated that approximately 16 wounded individuals, including girls, have been admitted, some in critical condition. The clashes have been confined to the army command, the Rapid Support Forces, the medical corps, and El Fasher airport.

Following the commencement of the war battles, the army and RSF commanders traded accusations. Hemedti has pledged to arrest Burhan and bring him to justice, while the latter has declared the RSF an outlaw force and dissolved it.

In South Darfur state, military sources told Sudan Tribune that the army successfully repelled an attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces on the army and western region command next to Nyala International Airport.

Bashir Mursal Hassaballah, Secretary-General of the Government of South Darfur State, inspected the conditions of hospitalized patients at Nyala Teaching Hospital. He said that the number of fatalities had reached approximately six people, with 16 wounded.

On their Facebook page, the RSF shared videos of their soldiers talking about their control of Sabira airport in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state.

The Rapid Support Forces seek to control military airports so that they are not used against their forces, which often lack anti-aircraft weapons.

Medical Statistics

According to a field report seen by Sudan Tribune on Saturday, the steering committee of the Doctors’ Union stated that two people were killed at Khartoum airport and a third in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state.

In a subsequent update, the report highlighted the presence of a large number of injured, some of whom were in critical condition and requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Sudanese army captures seven RSF bases - Sudan Tribune

***

Battles in Sudan have stretched into a second day, leaving dozens of civilians dead

April 16, 20239:17 AM ET 

By The Associated Press

The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day Sunday, signaling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

Heavy fighting involving armored vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged Sunday in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.

At least 56 civilians were reported killed, including three employees of the U.N. food agency. The Sudan Doctors' Syndicate said it believed there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces. It said close to 600 people were wounded, including civilians and fighters.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group. The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan's short-lived transition to democracy.

In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for an orderly transition to democracy. However, growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with political parties.

In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was reported around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters. A senior military official said RSF fighters clashed with troops at military headquarters early Sunday and that a fire broke out at a facility for ground troops.

Sudan's army and RSF are doing battle, leaving dozens of civilians dead : NPR

***

Sudan clashes kill at least 25 in power struggle between army, paramilitaries

By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir

April 15 (Reuters) -

Clashes between Sudan's main paramilitary group and the armed forces on Saturday killed at least 25 people, a doctors' group said, in an apparent struggle for control amid the country's halting moves toward elections after a military coup.

The Sudanese Doctors' Union said 183 people were wounded in fighting between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It was unclear whether the victims were civilians.

The group said it recorded deaths at Khartoum's airport and the nearby city of Omdurman as well as in the cities of Nyala, El Obeid and El Fasher, which are west of the capital Khartoum.

The paramilitary RSF claimed to have seized the presidential palace, army chief's residence, state television station and airports in Khartoum, the northern city of Merowe, El Fasher and West Darfur state. The army rejected those assertions.

The Sudanese air force late on Saturday told people to stay indoors while it conducted what it called an aerial survey of RSF activity, and a holiday was declared in Khartoum state for Sunday, closing schools, banks and government offices.

Gunfire and explosions could be heard across the capital, where TV footage showed smoke rising from several districts and social media videos captured military jets flying low over the city. Eyewitnesses reported shooting in adjoining cities.

A Reuters journalist saw cannon and armoured vehicles deployed on the capital's streets and heard heavy weapons fire near the headquarters of both the army and RSF.

Army chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan told Al Jazeera TV the RSF should back down: "We think if they are wise they will turn back their troops that came into Khartoum. But if it continues we will have to deploy troops into Khartoum from other areas."

Sudan clashes kill at least 25 in power struggle between army, paramilitaries | Reuters

***

Dozens killed as army, rivals battle for control of Sudan

By JACK JEFFERY and SAMY MAGDY

Sudan Tribune, Sunday, April 16, 2023.

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) —

The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day Sunday, signaling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

Heavy fighting involving armored vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged Sunday in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.

At least five civilians were killed and 78 wounded Sunday, bringing the two-day toll to 61 dead and more than 670 wounded, said the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate. The group said it believes there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group. The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan’s short-lived transition to democracy.

In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for such a transition, but growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with

In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was reported around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters. A senior military official said RSF fighters clashed with troops at military headquarters early Sunday and that a fire broke out at a facility for ground troops.

“The battles have not stopped,” said prominent rights advocate Tahani Abass who lives near the military headquarters. “They are shooting against each other in the streets. It’s an all-out war in residential areas.”

Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home. “No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion,” she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldn’t be independently verified.

Both sides signaled that they were unwilling to negotiate.

Burhan’s military called for dismantling the RSF, which it labeled a “rebellious militia.” Dagalo told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiation and called on Burhan to surrender.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.N. secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting. Members of the U.N. Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan — Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — made similar appeals.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. “We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition,” he said in a statement early Sunday.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was following “with worry” the events unfolding in Sudan. “I am close to the Sudanese people ... and I invite prayers so that arms are laid down and dialogue prevails, to resume together the path of peace and harmony,” the pontiff said in remarks Sunday to the public in St. Peter’s Square.

On Sunday, the World Food Program said it temporarily suspended operations in Sudan after three agency employees were killed in clashes the previous day and an aircraft used by the WFP was damaged.

“We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed,” said Cindy McCain, the executive director of the agency. About 16 million people, or one-third of Sudan’s population, require humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N.

The rival forces were fighting in several locations across Sudan, including the western Darfur region where tens of thousands of people live in camps for displaced people after years of genocidal civil war.

The three WFP employees were killed in clashes in the town of Kebkabiya in the province of North Darfur. Two agency employees were wounded.

Dozens of people were also killed and wounded since Saturday at a camp for displaced people in North Darfur, said Adam Regal, a spokesman for a Darfur charity.

In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province, the two sides fought for control of the city’s airport, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media.

The official said fighting also spread to the eastern region, including the provinces of Kassala and al-Qadarif on the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said battles centered around RSF and army bases.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudan’s unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the military’s headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters. Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Sudan, a country at the crossroads of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its history of military coups and civil conflicts since it gained independence in 1950s.

The country has borders with six African nations and a strategic coastline on the Red Sea. A decade-old civil conflict resulted in the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

Magdy reported from Cairo.

Associated Press writer Frances D’Emilio in Rome contributed.