Tensions between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary force have escalated in the capital, Khartoum, with reports of at least 25 dead and hundreds injured. Residents were seen running away and taking cover as gunfire and black smoke filled the air. The clashes erupted after a disagreement over a proposed transition to civilian rule.
The army and its opponents, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are both claiming control of key sites such as the airport. Fighting continued into the night and violence was reported in other cities, including those in the Darfur region. The army has said jets are hitting RSF bases and has ordered people to remain in their homes while it conducts an aerial survey of paramilitary activity.
The fighting is between army units loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, commanded by Sudan’s deputy leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Gen Dagalo said his troops would keep on fighting until all army bases were captured. In response, Sudan’s armed forces ruled out any possibility of negotiations or dialogue “until the dissolution of the paramilitary RSF”, and Gen Burhan ordered the group’s disbandment.
At least 25 people have been killed and 183 others injured in the violence, according to the Sudanese Doctors’ Union. The Washington Post newspaper reported 30 people dead and nearly 400 injured, citing the United Nations. A civilian plane was also reportedly ablaze at Khartoum airport.
The UK, US, EU and UN have all called for an immediate end to the fighting. US Ambassador John Godfrey said he “woke up to the deeply disturbing sounds of gunfire and fighting”. Russia’s embassy expressed concern over the “escalation of violence” and urged a ceasefire.
The RSF claims control of at least three airports, the army chief’s residence and the presidential palace, but Gen Burhan denied this in an interview with al-Jazeera. There are also reports of clashes at the state TV station, which eyewitnesses say is now controlled by the RSF.
The unrest began after a disagreement over a proposed transition to civilian rule. Generals have been running the country since a coup in October 2021. Gen Burhan is president of the Sovereign Council, while Hemedti is its vice-president. But a proposed move to a civilian-led government has foundered on the timetable to integrate the RSF into the national army.
Western powers and regional leaders have urged both sides to de-escalate tensions and to go back to talks aimed at restoring civilian rule. The 2021 coup ended a period of more than two years when military and civilian leaders were sharing power. Since then, there have been regular pro-democracy protests in Khartoum.
Tensions between Sudan’s military and paramilitary forces have reached a boiling point in Khartoum, with reports of at least 25 dead and hundreds injured. Residents were seen running away from gunfire and black smoke as rival forces battled over key sites such as the airport, presidential palace, state TV station, and army headquarters.
The violence erupted after a disagreement over a proposed transition to civilian rule. Both the army and its opponents, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are claiming control of these sites. Fighting continued into the night and violence was reported in other cities, including those in the Darfur region. The army has said jets are hitting RSF bases and has ordered people to remain in their homes while it conducts an aerial survey of paramilitary activity.
Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo are leading the two sides. Gen Dagalo said his troops would keep on fighting until all army bases were captured, while Gen Burhan ordered the RSF’s disbandment. At least 25 people have been killed and 183 others injured in the violence, according to the Sudanese Doctors’ Union.
Western powers and regional leaders have called for an immediate end to the fighting. US Ambassador John Godfrey said he “woke up to the deeply disturbing sounds of gunfire and fighting”. Russia’s embassy expressed concern over the “escalation of violence” and urged a ceasefire.
The unrest began after a disagreement over a proposed transition to civilian rule. Generals have been running the country since a coup in October 2021, with Gen Burhan as president of the Sovereign Council and Hemedti as its vice-president. But a proposed move to a civilian-led government has foundered on the timetable to integrate the RSF into the national army. There have been regular pro-democracy protests in Khartoum ever since the coup.