DUBAI: Clashes erupted in numerous districts of Sudan’s capital on Wednesday when a 72-hour cease-fire between competing military factions expired, according to witnesses.
Fighting was reported shortly before the cease-fire ended at 6 a.m. in the three cities that make up the larger capital near the Nile’s confluence: Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman.
Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been fighting for more than two months, devastating havoc on the capital, sparking widespread bloodshed in Darfur’s western region, and driving more than 2.5 million people from their homes.
Witnesses reported hearing army planes over Omdurman early Wednesday, as well as RSF anti-aircraft fire, artillery fire from a base in north Omdurman, and ground fighting in southern Khartoum.
The cease-fire was the latest in a series of truce agreements reached in Jeddah between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
There were reports of violations by both sides, like with previous cease-fires.
Both factions blamed one other late Monday for a big fire at the intelligence headquarters, which is housed in a defence compound in central Khartoum that has been contested over since the violence began on April 15.
If the warring sides do not obey the ceasefire, Saudi Arabia and the United States will consider postponing the Jeddah talks, which critics have called ineffectual.
Sudan’s crisis occurred in the midst of disagreements over internationally supported plans for a transition away from military control following a coup in 2021, and four years after long-ruling tyrant Omar Al-Bashir was deposed in a popular uprising.
Source: Reuters
