Fighting between the army and a paramilitary group in Sudan after the failed transition to a civilian government. US says situation is "fragile"
Residents of central Khartoum were rocked by the sound of gunfire on Saturday after clashes broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. It is not yet clear what sparked the fighting, but tensions have been high in Sudan following a conflict between the two sides, reports the BBC.
On Thursday, the RSF - commanded by Sudan's deputy leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo - deployed forces near a military base in the northern town of Merowe.
Sudan's leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has said he is willing to talk to his second-in-command and resolve the dispute over who will lead a unified army in a proposed civilian government.
Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) say they have taken control of at least three airports, the army chief's residence and the presidential palace. The army denies this and says its air force is attacking paramilitary bases. People are trying to flee the fighting. The army admits that it is facing "enemy" attempts to take over strategic places in Khartoum and that the Sudanese air force is conducting operations to confront the RSF.
Western powers and regional leaders have urged the two sides to de-escalate and return to talks aimed at returning the country to civilian rule.
Sudan has been in a political collapse since General Burhan led the army in overthrowing a civilian government in October 2021.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the situation in Khartoum is "fragile". Blinken, who is currently on his first official trip to Vietnam, said there could be other actors who will emerge against progress in Sudan towards the formation of a civilian government.
Russia has also expressed "concern" about the escalating violence and is calling for a ceasefire and negotiations, Russian state news agency RIA reported. The embassy urged Russians in Sudan to stay home and remain calm.
Two dead after shell hits plane on Khartoum runway
Two people have been killed after a shell hit a passenger plane at Khartoum airport. The commercial planes returned to their home countries instead of trying to land in the Sudanese capital.
According to the BBC, the fighting also spread to the headquarters of Sudan's state television.
