- Explosions and gunfire were heard around the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, as clashes were reported between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary.
- The RSF claimed that they had taken “full control” of the presidential palace and key areas.
- The Indian embassy in Sudan has asked Indians in the country to “stay indoors”.
- This comes after days of tensions between the army and the RSF which had sparked fears of a confrontation that would undermine long-running efforts to return Sudan to civilian rule after years of power struggles and military coups.
- The paramilitaries said that the actions by the leadership of the armed forces and “some officers” were an attack on its forces with the intention of creating instability.
According to several media reports and eyewitness accounts, explosions and gunfire were heard around the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, as clashes were reported between the military led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary.
Hours later, in a statement, the RSF claimed that they had taken “full control” of the presidential palace and key areas. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Sudan has asked Indians in the country to “stay indoors”.
The Embassy of India in Khartoum, in a statement, in light of recent clashes and firings to take “utmost precautions, stay indoors, and stop venturing outside with immediate effect”. It added, “Please also stay calm and wait for updates.”
Sounds of explosions and gunfire were heard across the Sudanese capital amid clashes between the country’s army and the paramilitary RSF. Witnesses reported “confrontations” and loud explosions and gunfire near a base held by the RSF in south Khartoum, said a report by AFP, whose reporters heard gunfire near Khartoum airport as well in north Khartoum.
Subsequently, the RSF, which is headed by former militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, in a statement said that the army had entered their camps in south Khartoum and laid siege to paramilitary forces there.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese army said that the paramilitaries attacked “several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan,” spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah told AFP. He added, “Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country.”
This comes after days of tensions between the army and the RSF which had sparked fears of a confrontation that would undermine long-running efforts to return Sudan to civilian rule after years of power struggles and military coups. On Thursday, the army said that some of the recent movements in Merowe by the RSF were illegal and took place without coordination.
However, the paramilitaries said that the actions by the leadership of the armed forces and “some officers” were an attack on its forces with the intention of creating instability. Eyewitnesses told news agencies that there has been a heavy exchange of gunfire in Merowe, on Saturday.
