KHARTOUM: At least 56 people were killed and 183 others injured in clashes between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday, according to reports by the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors and the Sudanese Doctors’ Union.
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The fighting erupted amid the country’s ongoing efforts to transition to democracy following a military coup. It remains unclear whether the victims were civilians.
According to reports gathered from Arab and other international media outlets, the Sudanese paramilitary group, RSF, claimed to have seized control of several key locations including the presidential palace, army chief’s residence, state television station, and airports in multiple cities.
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However, the army has denied these claims. Meanwhile, the Sudanese air force has urged people to remain indoors while conducting an aerial survey of RSF activity.
Eyewitnesses reported gunfire and explosions in various areas of the capital, Khartoum, and nearby cities. Social media videos showed military jets flying low over the city, while smoke could be seen rising from several districts. In response to the violence, a holiday was declared in Khartoum state for Sunday, with schools, banks, and government offices remaining closed.
As tensions escalate, Army Chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan called on the RSF to back down, warning that troops could be deployed into Khartoum from other areas if the situation continues. However, RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, called Al-Burhan a “criminal” and a “liar”.
Local media reports suggest the military and RSF, which has a strength of around 100,000, have been competing for power as political factions negotiate forming a transitional government.
