A violent escalation of tensions, gunfire, and airstrikes erupted in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, as the army and paramilitary forces clashed over control of the nation’s airport and the presidential palace. The paramilitaries claimed they were in control of both locations, while the army denied the claims, saying they were false. The fighting began on Saturday morning, with both sides blaming the other for initiating the violence.
The root of the conflict appears to be a disagreement between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the inclusion of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army. The Western governments had warned of the dangers of all-out fighting between the rival security forces since the army issued its warning to the paramilitaries on Thursday.
The clashes in Khartoum have been accompanied by similar violence in the North Darfur state capital of El Fasher, where civilians have been hunkered down inside their homes. Witness Eissa Adam reported explosions and gunfire being heard across the city. The clashes have sparked fears of a wider conflict in the country.
The violence comes after months of escalating tensions between the generals and years of political unrest after an October 2021 military coup. The international community has expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in Sudan and has called for an end to the violence.
The situation in Sudan remains fluid and unpredictable, with the potential for further violence and instability in the coming days. The government has urged all parties to refrain from violence and to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. However, the situation on the ground suggests that the tensions may not be easily resolved.