Sudan Military Rivalry Leads to 56 Civilian and Combatant Deaths
Sunday, in an attempt to reassert control over the country, the Sudanese military launched airstrikes against a paramilitary force’s base near the capital, following clashes in which at least 56 civilians and dozens of combatants were killed.
Saturday night, eyewitnesses reported that the army attacked a base belonging to the government’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Omdurman, which is adjacent to the capital Khartoum.
As political factions negotiate the formation of a transitional government after a military coup in 2021, the military and RSF, which analysts estimate to number 100,000, have been competing for power.
During the early hours of Sunday morning, witnesses reported hearing heavy artillery fire in Khartoum, Omdurman, and nearby Bahri, as well as gunfire in Port Sudan, where there had been no previous reports of fighting.
The Sudanese Doctors’ Union reported 56 civilian deaths and 595 injuries, including combatants, on Saturday.
Due to a lack of first-hand information from many of the hospitals treating these casualties, the number of military personnel who died was unknown.
The group reported deaths at Khartoum’s airport, Omdurman, Nyala, El Obeid, and El Fasher west of Khartoum.
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The RSF claimed to have taken the presidential palace, army chief’s residence, state television station, and Khartoum, Merowe, El Fasher, and West Darfur airports. These claims were refuted by the military.
The Sudanese air force advised citizens to remain indoors while it conducted what it termed an aerial survey of RSF activity, and a holiday was declared for Sunday in Khartoum state, closing schools, banks, and government offices.
Gunfire and explosions were audible throughout the capital, where television footage showed smoke rising from multiple districts and social media footage captured military jets flying low over the city, with at least one appearing to fire a missile.
Reuters journalists saw cannons, armored vehicles, and heavy weapon fire near army and RSF headquarters.
General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan told Al Jazeera TV that the RSF should withdraw: “We believe that if they are prudent, they will withdraw their troops from Khartoum.” But if it continues, we will have to deploy troops from other regions to Khartoum.”
The military stated it would not negotiate with the RSF unless it disbanded. RSF soldiers were ordered to report to nearby army units, which could deplete RSF ranks.
Hemedti, the RSF leader, called Burhan a “criminal” and “liar.”
Hemedti stated, “We know where you are hiding, and we will find you and hand you over to justice, or you will die like any other dog.”
At a time when Sudan is struggling with economic collapse and tribal violence, a prolonged conflict could derail elections.
POLITICAL CONSENSUS IN PERIL
The clashes are a result of escalating tensions regarding the RSF’s incorporation into the military. The disagreement has delayed the signing of a transition to democracy agreement backed by the international community with political parties.
A coalition of civilian groups that signed this agreement’s draft in December called for a ceasefire Saturday to prevent Sudan’s “total collapse.”
“This is a pivotal moment in the history of our country,” they said in a statement. This is an unwinnable war that will destroy our country for all time.
The RSF accused the army of plotting a coup with former strongman President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s loyalists. 2019 coup overthrew al-Bashir. The coup of 2021 overthrew the country’s civilian prime minister.
Witnesses reported fighting in numerous regions outside of the capital. Reuters cites eyewitnesses as saying that heavy gunfire was exchanged in Merowe.
The RSF shared a video showing, according to them, Egyptian troops who “surrendered” in Merowe. Egypt stated that the troops were in Sudan for joint exercises with Sudanese forces.
Hemedti told Sky News Arabia that the Egyptians were safe and that the RSF would assist Cairo upon their return.
The video depicted men dressed in army fatigues speaking in an Egyptian-Arabic dialect while squatting on the ground. Open-source intelligence analysts reported that the RSF captured Egyptian Air Force fighter planes, pilots, Sudanese weapons, and military vehicles.
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Eyewitnesses reported RSF-army fighting in El Fasher and Nyala.
The US, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UN, the EU, and the African Union demanded an immediate ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Saturday that he had consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They concurred that it was imperative for all parties in Sudan to immediately and unconditionally cease hostilities.
After a phone call, the Saudi, American, and UAE foreign ministers called for a return to the framework agreement on democracy. According to the Saudi state news agency.
The spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that he spoke with Burhan, Hemedti, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
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