Sudan’s military launched air strikes on a paramilitary force’s base near the capital in a bid to reassert control over the country on Sunday following clashes in which scores of combatants and at least 56 civilians were killed.
At the end of a day of heavy fighting, the army struck a base belonging to the government’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Omdurman, which adjoins the capital Khartoum, eyewitnesses said late on Saturday.
I condemn the outbreak of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces & the Sudanese Armed Forces in Sudan.
I’m engaging with the AU and leaders in the region & reaffirm the commitment of the @UN to support the people of Sudan in their efforts to restore a democratic transition.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 15, 2023
The military and RSF, which analysts say is 100,000 strong, have been competing for power as political factions negotiate to form a transitional government after a 2021 military coup.
Coup attempt in Sudan, action of MiG-29 SE of the regular army against the coup plotters (rapid reaction force) in the city of Khartoum.
By the way, a few months ago, Sudan gave permission to the Russian Federation to build a base in the Red Sea. Is this the West's answer? pic.twitter.com/KWUPDsIGdM— Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) April 15, 2023
In the early hours of Sunday morning, eyewitnesses heard the sound of heavy artillery firing across Khartoum, Omdurman and nearby Bahri, and there was also gunfire heard in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, where there had been no earlier reports of fighting.
Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan: We call on the brothers in Sudan to quickly stop military operations, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid escalation. pic.twitter.com/eEjbzP3Hxo
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) April 15, 2023
