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| At least three civilians dead amid military clashes in Sudan’s capital | At least three civilians dead amid military clashes in Sudan’s capital |
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| Paramilitary group reports seizing control of presidential palace, army chief’s home and Khartoum airport | Paramilitary group reports seizing control of presidential palace, army chief’s home and Khartoum airport |
| Fighting in Sudan’s capital – latest updates | Fighting in Sudan’s capital – latest updates |
| At least three civilians have died during clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, a Sudanese doctors’ group has said. | At least three civilians have died during clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, a Sudanese doctors’ group has said. |
| Heavy gunfire was heard in the capital Khartoum, on Saturday as fighting erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF following days of tensions between the two forces. | Heavy gunfire was heard in the capital Khartoum, on Saturday as fighting erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF following days of tensions between the two forces. |
| The RSF claimed it had gained control of Khartoum international airport, Merowe airport, al-Obeid airport and the presidential palace, after an attack on its military base in south Khartoum at about 9am on Saturday. | The RSF claimed it had gained control of Khartoum international airport, Merowe airport, al-Obeid airport and the presidential palace, after an attack on its military base in south Khartoum at about 9am on Saturday. |
| Clashes were also taking place at the headquarters of Sudan’s state TV, an anchor who appeared on screen said. | Clashes were also taking place at the headquarters of Sudan’s state TV, an anchor who appeared on screen said. |
| In a statement reported by Reuters, the Sudan Doctors’ Committee said two civilians were killed at Khartoum international airport and another man was shot dead in the state of North Kordofan. It said dozens more were injured around the country, with some in an unstable condition. | In a statement reported by Reuters, the Sudan Doctors’ Committee said two civilians were killed at Khartoum international airport and another man was shot dead in the state of North Kordofan. It said dozens more were injured around the country, with some in an unstable condition. |
| Khartoum airport has shut down, with clips circulating on social media showing the RSF storming the building. | Khartoum airport has shut down, with clips circulating on social media showing the RSF storming the building. |
| Eissa Zain, 37, told the Guardian that while sleeping at home in Khartoum’s Daim neighbourhood “something very hard hit the wall and I thought the fan had fallen down but it turned out to be an RPG [rocked propelled grenade]. We ran out of the house and the streets were full of people, but then everyone went inside their houses.” | |
| The Sudan air force has been flying over Khartoum peninsula (Omdurman, Khartoum North and Khartoum City), and the Sudanese armed forces issued a statement saying they were using the air force to “stop the irresponsible behaviour of the RSF”. | The Sudan air force has been flying over Khartoum peninsula (Omdurman, Khartoum North and Khartoum City), and the Sudanese armed forces issued a statement saying they were using the air force to “stop the irresponsible behaviour of the RSF”. |
| Heavy gunfire could be heard in parts of Darfur, in West Darfur State, Geneina and in North Darfur’s El Fasher. | Heavy gunfire could be heard in parts of Darfur, in West Darfur State, Geneina and in North Darfur’s El Fasher. |
| John Godfrey, the US ambassador to Sudan, said he and embassy staff had been forced to take shelter. He said the escalation of tensions to direct fighting was “extremely dangerous” and called urgently on the senior leadership to stop the clashes. | John Godfrey, the US ambassador to Sudan, said he and embassy staff had been forced to take shelter. He said the escalation of tensions to direct fighting was “extremely dangerous” and called urgently on the senior leadership to stop the clashes. |
| The UK’s embassy in Sudan urged its nationals there to remain indoors. The embassy said on Twitter: “We are closely monitoring the situation in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan where there are ongoing military clashes. We advise all British nationals in Sudan to remain indoors and follow our travel advice for more updates.” | The UK’s embassy in Sudan urged its nationals there to remain indoors. The embassy said on Twitter: “We are closely monitoring the situation in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan where there are ongoing military clashes. We advise all British nationals in Sudan to remain indoors and follow our travel advice for more updates.” |
| The tensions came to the surface on Thursday when the RSF sent troops with more than 200 vehicles to surround Merowe airport in the north, where an Egyptian military base is located. The army said the movements by the RSF had been made without coordination and were illegal. | The tensions came to the surface on Thursday when the RSF sent troops with more than 200 vehicles to surround Merowe airport in the north, where an Egyptian military base is located. The army said the movements by the RSF had been made without coordination and were illegal. |
| A statement by the RSF on Saturday called the army’s actions a “brute assault” and called for it to be condemned. It said the RSF had been in contact with local and international mediators to inform them. | A statement by the RSF on Saturday called the army’s actions a “brute assault” and called for it to be condemned. It said the RSF had been in contact with local and international mediators to inform them. |
| The dispute between the two forces began during power-sharing negotiations with the civilian forces to restore a western-backed civilian-led government. The army insisted the RSF should integrate into the army within two years, while the RSF is suggesting it should be within 10 years. | The dispute between the two forces began during power-sharing negotiations with the civilian forces to restore a western-backed civilian-led government. The army insisted the RSF should integrate into the army within two years, while the RSF is suggesting it should be within 10 years. |
| The Sudanese Professionals Association called on people to try to protect their neighbourhoods. | The Sudanese Professionals Association called on people to try to protect their neighbourhoods. |
| Osman Ali, a resident of Omdurman who works as a market vendor, said: “We feel extremely unsafe now. The leaders are fighting there but the problem is, who is going to protect us from looting or if any armed people stormed into the neighbourhoods?” | Osman Ali, a resident of Omdurman who works as a market vendor, said: “We feel extremely unsafe now. The leaders are fighting there but the problem is, who is going to protect us from looting or if any armed people stormed into the neighbourhoods?” |
| Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said the situation in Sudan was delicate but insisted there was still an opportunity to complete the transition to a civilian-led government. | Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said the situation in Sudan was delicate but insisted there was still an opportunity to complete the transition to a civilian-led government. |
| Speaking from the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, Blinken said the situation was “fragile” as some actors “may be pushing against that progress”. | Speaking from the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, Blinken said the situation was “fragile” as some actors “may be pushing against that progress”. |
| Reuters contributed to this report | Reuters contributed to this report |