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Sudan crisis: Further fierce fighting as clashes spread Sudan crisis: Further fierce fighting between army and RSF
(about 7 hours later)
Watch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airportWatch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airport
Watch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airportWatch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airport
Fierce clashes have been reported across Sudan as fighting between rival armed factions continues to spread.Fierce clashes have been reported across Sudan as fighting between rival armed factions continues to spread.
The escalation came on the second day of clashes between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries which have now left at least 59 dead. The escalation came on the second day of violence between the army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Sudanese army said it had taken hold of RSF bases in Port Sudan, Kasala, Kadaref, Demazin and Kosti. More than 50 people have been killed, and one estimate puts the number of injured at more than 1,000.
The RSF claimed to occupy sites in Omdurman and Darfur, as well as Merowe Airport in the north. Witness reports suggest the army may be gaining the upper hand.
But later accounts indicated that the army had regained control of the airport, with the military saying they were dealing with "small pockets of rebels". Earlier on Sunday, both sides held a temporary ceasefire to allow the wounded to be evacuated, although it was not clear how strictly they stuck to it.
Witnesses in Sudan told Reuters news agency that the army appeared to be gaining the upper hand in the country's power struggle after blasting RSF bases with air strikes. The fighting is part of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership, escalating into violence between rival factions.
Earlier, the two sides observed a temporary humanitarian ceasefire to allow the wounded to be evacuated. The two men at its centre disagree over how the country should transition to civilian rule. Sudan has been run by generals since a coup overthrew the long-standing authoritarian president, Omar al-Bashir, in 2019.
It followed complaints from doctors' unions that it was difficult for medics and sick people to get to and from hospitals while the fighting was raging. On Sunday the RSF claimed to occupy sites in the capital Khartoum and the adjoining city of Omdurman, and in the western region of Darfur, as well as Merowe Airport in the north of the country.
But later accounts indicated that the army had regained control of the airport, with the military saying they were dealing with "small pockets of rebels". They also denied that the RSF has seized key sites in the capital.
Witnesses in Sudan told Reuters news agency that the army appeared to be making gains after blasting RSF bases with air strikes.
Shock and anger in Khartoum, a city not used to warShock and anger in Khartoum, a city not used to war
A simple guide to what's going on in SudanA simple guide to what's going on in Sudan
The brief pause in the fighting came as a chorus of international voices called for a permanent end to the violence. The fighting is between army units loyal to the de facto leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, a notorious paramilitary force commanded by Sudan's deputy leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.
Leading Arab states and the US have also urged a resumption of talks aimed at restoring a civilian government, while the African Union has announced that it is sending its top diplomat, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to try to negotiate a ceasefire. The major sticking points are over the plans to incorporate the 100,000-strong RSF into the army, and over who would then lead the new force.
'We haven't slept for 24 hours'
Some of the fiercest fighting has been in Khartoum, where residents have spoken of fear and panic.
"We're scared, we haven't slept for 24 hours because of the noise and the house shaking," Huda, a Khartoum resident, told the Reuters news agency. "We're worried about running out of water and food, and medicine for my diabetic father."
Another Khartoum resident, Kholood Khair, told the BBC that residents could not be sure of safety anywhere. "All civilians have been urged to stay at home, but that has not kept everyone safe."
Thick black smoke was seen over Khartoum (satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies)Thick black smoke was seen over Khartoum (satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies)
The brief pause in the fighting on Sunday followed complaints from doctors' unions that it was difficult for medics and sick people to get to and from hospitals while the fighting was raging.
A chorus of international voices has called for a permanent end to the violence.
Leading Arab states and the US have also urged a resumption of talks aimed at restoring a civilian government, while the African Union has announced that it is sending its top diplomat, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to try to negotiate a ceasefire.
Egypt and South Sudan also offered to mediate between the warring factions, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.Egypt and South Sudan also offered to mediate between the warring factions, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.
For its part, the UN World Food Programme has suspended its operations in Sudan after three of its workers were killed on Saturday. Death toll estimates have varied. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and an estimated 600 wounded.
The RSF, led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has claimed to control key sites in the capital, Khartoum. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation says more than 83 people have been killed and more than 1,100 people injured across the country since Thursday, when the RSF began mobilising its forces. It does not specify how many civilians have died in the fighting.
However, that assertion was rejected by Sudan's leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads the country's governing Sovereign Council. Among the dead are three staff members of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which has suspended its operations in the country.
In a statement, the WFP said it was "horrified" by the news of the deaths, adding that one of its aircraft had been damaged at Khartoum International Airport during an exchange of gunfire on Saturday, which it says impacted its ability to provide aid.
Sudan state television is reported to have stopped transmissions, but it was not immediately clear what caused the break in programming.Sudan state television is reported to have stopped transmissions, but it was not immediately clear what caused the break in programming.
Sudan has been run by a council of generals since a coup overthrew the country's long-standing authoritarian president, Omar al-Bashir, in 2019.
The violence broke out on Saturday after days of tensions over the roadmap for the country's transition to civilian rule.
One of the main sticking points is over the plans to incorporate the 100,000-strong RSF into the army and who would then lead the new force.
Watch: What's happened in Sudan in the last 24 hours?Watch: What's happened in Sudan in the last 24 hours?
Watch: What's happened in Sudan in the last 24 hours?Watch: What's happened in Sudan in the last 24 hours?
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