Heavy explosions and gunfire rocked Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman, residents said, despite the extension of a fragile truce between the county’s two top generals whose power struggle has left hundreds dead.
Sudanese medics say 74 were killed during two days of fighting in the West Darfur capital Al-Junaynah.
After two weeks of skirmishes that have turned Khartoum into a war zone and thrown Sudan into turmoil, a group of international mediators, including African and Arab nations, the United Nations and the United States — were intensifying their pressure on the rival generals to enter talks on resolving the crisis.
So far, however, they have managed to achieve only a series of temporary cease-fires that have failed to stop clashes but created enough of a lull for tens of thousands of Sudanese to flee to safer areas and for foreign nations to evacuate thousands of their citizens by land, air and sea.
In a sign of the persistent chaos, Turkey said one of its evacuation planes was hit by gunfire outside Khartoum on Friday hours after both sides accepted a 72-hour truce extension. There were no casualties.
Fierce clashes with frequent explosions and gunfire continued Friday in Khartoum’s upscale neighborhood of Kafouri, where the military’s warplanes bombed its rivals, the Rapid Support Forces, residents said.
Clashes were also reported around the military’s headquarters, the Republican Palace and the area close to the Khartoum international airport.
All these areas have been flashpoints since the war between the military and the RSF erupted on 15 April. Explosions also rang out across the river in Omdurman.
Doctors in the Sudanese capital said the RSF has been abducting medical personnel to treat its wounded fighters — a sign the paramilitary was struggling to get medical support. (RFI)