Amid deadly clashes over a rebellion in Sudan, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday seized the army chief’s residence – the presidential palace – and Khartoum’s international airport after deadly clashes with the army. .
The RSF maintained that it was attacked first by the military, highlighting that they had “captured airfields in the northern city of Meroy and al-Ubeid in the west.”
In response to preventing the paramilitary group from taking control of other key state institutions, the Sudanese air force has launched operations against the RSF, the military said.
Several TV footages show military aircraft flying over Khartoum. Gunfire could be heard in several parts of Khartoum, JEE News said, and witnesses reported gunfire in neighboring towns.
JEE News saw artillery and armored vehicles lined up in the streets near the headquarters of both the army and the RSF, hearing the sounds of heavy weapons fire.
According to doctors, “clashes took place in residential areas and civilians were injured.”
The army noted that the RSF attempted to attack its troops at several positions after witnesses reported heavy shelling in several parts of the country, raising fears of an all-out confrontation.
The army had surrounded one of its bases and opened fire with heavy weapons, said the RSF, which is led by former militia leader General Muhammad Hamdan Dagalu, known as Hamdati.
The conflict, if prolonged, could worsen the security situation in the country, which is already vulnerable to fueling power struggles between tribal groups due to a failing economy.
Sudan’s political parties, which scrapped a power-sharing deal with the army and RSF, urged both sides to end the conflict. Similarly, the United States and Russia have also demanded an end to violence and bloodshed from both sides.
The armed clash occurred at a time when tensions were rising between the Sudanese army and the RSF. The struggle could potentially undermine Sudan’s efforts to consolidate civilian rule.
RSF leader Hamdati came forward and promoted himself in the planned transition to democracy, upsetting fellow militia leaders and mobilizing troops in the capital, Khartoum.
The matters came to a head between the forces on Thursday after the army said the recent movements, particularly in Meru, were illegal by the RSF.
In a statement, the RSF said, “The actions of the leadership of the armed forces and some officers were an attack on its forces and aimed at creating instability.”
The RSF termed the army’s actions as a “barbaric attack” that should be condemned. It said RSF had informed local and international mediators of the developments.
In 2019, the RSF, together with the military, overthrew long-ruling dictator Omar al-Bashir and subsequently began deploying its units to Khartoum and elsewhere, despite the military’s withdrawal from the military in March under a transitional plan. A merger was also discussed, which would lead to fresh elections.
