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Sudan fighting: Muted Eid as ceasefire broken Sudan fighting: Muted Eid as ceasefire broken
(32 minutes later)
There is a sombre mood as people mark the end of the fasting month of RamadanThere is a sombre mood as people mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan
Residents of Sudan's capital say parts of Khartoum feel like a ghost town, in stark contrast to the joyful mood usually seen during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.Residents of Sudan's capital say parts of Khartoum feel like a ghost town, in stark contrast to the joyful mood usually seen during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
After a week of fighting between two factions of the country's military leadership at least 400 people have been killed.After a week of fighting between two factions of the country's military leadership at least 400 people have been killed.
Witnesses say gunfire continues in Khartoum. Witnesses say bombing, shelling and gunfire continue in Khartoum.
It means a three-day truce called by the UN, US and others has failed.It means a three-day truce called by the UN, US and others has failed.
People in Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman tell the BBC they are still feeling a mixture of shock and anger.
Two women crying at the entrance to a mosque explain they have lost several family members - including two children.
Eid is the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan - and Sudanese people usually relish it as a time for visiting family and eating together with their neighbours, while children play and enjoy sweets.
Prayer services would normally be packed on Eid, but on Friday many mosques in Khartoum and Omdurman are almost empty as people shelter at home.
Others meanwhile have fled the capital for their home regions.
Why Sudan's descent into violence matters
The unsung heroes helping Sudanese survive the fighting
What is going on in Sudan? A simple guide
Two previous attempted ceasefires failed to take effect.Two previous attempted ceasefires failed to take effect.
Diplomatic pressure is being stepped up to end the fighting - with numerous countries and international bodies calling for an immediate ceasefire and offering to mediate.Diplomatic pressure is being stepped up to end the fighting - with numerous countries and international bodies calling for an immediate ceasefire and offering to mediate.
At its heart, this is a power struggle between two powerful military men over the roadmap for returning the country to civilian rule.At its heart, this is a power struggle between two powerful military men over the roadmap for returning the country to civilian rule.
As part of that plan the country's current military government - made up of the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo - were supposed to merge their forces.As part of that plan the country's current military government - made up of the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo - were supposed to merge their forces.
But the RSF has resisted this change, and began to mobilise its troops which escalated into full-blown fighting between the two sides on Saturday.But the RSF has resisted this change, and began to mobilise its troops which escalated into full-blown fighting between the two sides on Saturday.
Why Sudan's descent into violence matters
The unsung heroes helping Sudanese survive the fighting
What is going on in Sudan? A simple guide
Eid is the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The UN has warned that between 10,000 and 20,000 people - mostly women and children - have fled Sudan, to seek safety in neighbouring Chad.The UN has warned that between 10,000 and 20,000 people - mostly women and children - have fled Sudan, to seek safety in neighbouring Chad.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday appealed to the warring military leaders separately to join a ceasefire at least until Sunday - warning of the risk to civilians as well as humanitarian and diplomatic workers.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday appealed to the warring military leaders separately to join a ceasefire at least until Sunday - warning of the risk to civilians as well as humanitarian and diplomatic workers.
A Sudanese army statement said Gen Burhan had received calls from the Turkish, South Sudanese and Ethiopian leaders, as well as Mr Blinken and the Saudi and Qatari foreign ministers.A Sudanese army statement said Gen Burhan had received calls from the Turkish, South Sudanese and Ethiopian leaders, as well as Mr Blinken and the Saudi and Qatari foreign ministers.
People were seen fleeing Khartoum on ThursdayPeople were seen fleeing Khartoum on Thursday
The two men at the centre of the crisis - Gen Burhan and Mr Hemedti - both served under the previous president, Omar al-Bashir, until they turned on him in 2019, after months of pro-democracy protests.The two men at the centre of the crisis - Gen Burhan and Mr Hemedti - both served under the previous president, Omar al-Bashir, until they turned on him in 2019, after months of pro-democracy protests.
The two generals fighting over Sudan's futureThe two generals fighting over Sudan's future
BBC reporter: 'I'm drinking water from the Nile'BBC reporter: 'I'm drinking water from the Nile'
They have large numbers of troops at their disposal. Gen Burhan has the regular military - around 120,000 strong - while the RSF has as many as 150,000, with a fearsome reputation for violence.They have large numbers of troops at their disposal. Gen Burhan has the regular military - around 120,000 strong - while the RSF has as many as 150,000, with a fearsome reputation for violence.
They were part of a transitional administration that was supposed to pave the way for a democratic government.They were part of a transitional administration that was supposed to pave the way for a democratic government.
But in 2021 Gen Burhan staged a military coup, putting all that on hold.But in 2021 Gen Burhan staged a military coup, putting all that on hold.
There are economic interests too, especially gold. It is the country's biggest export, and Mr Hemedti's family has a big stake in it.
It has strategic importance too. A lot of the gold goes to the United Arab Emirates. Russia's Wagner Group, which has fighters in Ukraine, has lucrative mining interests too, which is very useful for the Kremlin.
Sudan is Africa's third biggest country. What happens there matters, to its neighbours and to the wider world.
Russia, the US, Saudi Arabia and lots of other countries are vying for influence. And watching, nervously, to see if civil war is about to erupt.
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
Additional reporting by George Wright and Paul AdamsAdditional reporting by George Wright and Paul Adams
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