Civilians reportedly killed during heavy fighting in Sudan between army and paramilitary forces
At least three civilians have reportedly been killed in clashes between Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces in the capital Khartoum.
The country’s doctors trade union said the deaths came during sustained fighting on Saturday, with UK and US embassies in the city both warning their citizens to stay indoors.
Clashes between Sudan’s army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) raged around the presidential palace and Khartoum International Airport as both sides fought for control of symbolic sites.
The two parties forged a partnership following the ousting of former leader Omar al Bashir in 2019, but army boss General Abdel Fattah al Burhan has been the country’s de facto president since a military coup in October 2021.
Sudan’s armed forces have dismissed any possibility of negotiations between the two sides, writing on its Facebook page that there will be “no negotiations or dialogue until the dissolution of the paramilitary RSF”.
Elements of RSF and the armed forces exchanged gunfire in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country on Saturday in an apparent struggle for control.
A new deal signed late last year was supposed to pave the way to democratic elections, but Saturday’s violence erupted following weeks of escalating tensions.
RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, has labelled General al Burhan a “criminal” and accused his troops of carrying out a coup.
Fighter jets have been seen over the city and two major airlines, the state-owned Saudi carrier Saudia and Egypt’s Egyptair, have suspended flights in and out until further notice.
A Saudia plane preparing to take off from Khartoum airport came under fire during clashes, the carrier said. Video showed the plane on fire on the tarmac.
Residents are camped in their homes as black smoke from heavy gunfire covers areas of the capital, with injured civilians having started pouring into hospitals.
