Egyptian troops ‘surrendered’ in northern Sudan

CAIRO (Reuters) – Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces shared a video on Saturday that they said showed Egyptian troops who had “surrendered” to them in Merowe, northern Sudan.

This occurred as clashes erupted between the RSF, Sudan’s main paramilitary group, and the army on Saturday.

There was no clear explanation for the presence of Egyptian troops in Merowe on Saturday, but Egyptian and Sudanese troops have periodically staged joint military exercises in the north of the country in the wake of diplomatic tensions with Ethiopia.

The video showed a number of men dressed in army fatigues crouched on the ground and speaking to members of the RSF in an Egyptian Arabic dialect to troops in RSF uniforms.

Reuters could not immediately verify the footage and Egyptian authorities did not immediately make any public comment on the matter.

The fighting between the paramilitary group and the army broke out in the capital on Saturday morning, and has extended to several parts of the country including Merowe.

A mobilisation of RSF forces towards the Merowe military airport on Wednesday was the spark for an army statement on Thursday that described recent RSF moves as illegal and said it went beyond the force’s duties, bringing long-bubbling disagreements to the surface.

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A passenger plane preparing to take off from Sudan for Saudi Arabia came under fire on Saturday. The Airbus A330 “was exposed to gunfire damage… with guests and crew on board” ahead of its scheduled departure to Riyadh. 

“It has been confirmed that all members of the aircraft’s cabin crew have safely arrived at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan,” the kingdom’s flag carrier said.

“Meanwhile aircraft flying over Sudan have returned and all other flights to and from Sudan have been suspended in order to preserve the safety of the guests and crew,” Saudia added said in its statement.

15 Apr 2023, 08:01:38 PM IST

Indians urged to postpone travel plans to Sudan as armed forces clash

“In view of reported firings and clashes, all Indians in Sudan are advised to take utmost precautions, stay indoors and stop venturing outside with immediate effect. Indian planning to travel to Sudan should postpone their travel. Please also stay calm and wait for updates,” read an update shared by the Indian Embassy in Khartoum.

15 Apr 2023, 07:05:37 PM IST

Russia calls for ‘urgent steps towards ceasefire’ in Sudan

“The dramatic events taking place in Sudan are causing serious concern in Moscow. We call on the parties of the conflict to show political will and restraint and take urgent steps towards a ceasefire,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

15 Apr 2023, 07:00:40 PM IST

US seeks ‘immediate’ end to fighting in Sudan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “deeply concerned” about the reports of fighting. He said US embassy staff in the capital Khartoum are all “currently accounted for.”

“We urge all actors to stop the violence immediately and avoid further escalations or troop mobilizations and continue talks to resolve outstanding issues,” he tweeted.

15 Apr 2023, 06:23:30 PM IST

Flights suspended, some carriers turn back in mid-air

Commercial aircraft trying to land at Khartoum International Airport began turning around to head back to their originating airport as the clash intensified. Flight tracking data showed that flights from Saudi Arabia turned back after nearly landing at the airport on Saturday.

Saudi flag carrier Saudia said it had suspended all flights to and from Sudan until further notice after one of its Airbus A330 planes “was involved in an accident”. The army has accused the paramilitaries of burning civilian airliners at the Khartoum airport after its takeover.

15 Apr 2023, 06:11:06 PM IST

Burning airplanes, airstrikes in Sudan – Watch videos

Know more: Burning airplanes, airstrikes in Sudan as paramilitary, Army clash | Pics and videos

15 Apr 2023, 06:07:49 PM IST

Sudan paramilitary chief vows to fight on until all army bases captured

15 Apr 2023, 05:54:40 PM IST

Civilians killed, injured as clashes continue

According to a doctors union, three civilians have been killed as fighting rages within Sudan armed forces.

Gunfire was heard in several parts of Khartoum on Saturday and eyewitnesses told Reuters about shooting in adjoining cities. Cannon and armoured vehicles have been deployed in the streets of the capital, and heavy weapons are firing near the headquarters of both the army and RSF. 

Doctors said clashes had occurred in residential neighborhoods and civilians had been injured. Civilians were seen running for cover as artillery exchanges rocked the streets.

According to a statement issued by the Sudan Doctors Committee — a part of the country’s pro-democracy movement — clashes have led to “varying injuries.” The military also said the fighting resulted in a number of casualties but provided no further details.

15 Apr 2023, 05:50:05 PM IST

UN Sudan envoy urges ‘immediate’ end to fighting within security forces

UN Special Representative in Sudan Volker Perthes said that he had “reached out to both parties asking them for an immediate cessation of fighting to ensure the safety of the Sudanese people and to spare the country from further violence.”

15 Apr 2023, 05:48:01 PM IST

Sudan’s air force strikes multiple paramilitary bases

“The Sudanese air force destroyed Tiba and Soba camps (in Khartoum) which belong to the Rapid Support (Forces) militia,” the air force said in a statement.

It added that the regular army was chasing down RSF fighters and urged civilians to stay indoors as fighting raged on the streets of the capital between the rival security forces.

15 Apr 2023, 05:41:41 PM IST

What does the paramilitary RSF say?

In a series of statements, the Rapid Support Forces militia accused the army of attacking its forces at one of its bases in south Khartoum. “The Rapid Support Forces defended themselves in response to the hostile forces inflicting heavy losses” on the regular army,” it said in a statement.

It said its fighters “were able to take control of Merowe airport” north of Khartoum, “expelled attackers on bases in Soba” and “took control of Khartoum airport.” They also claimed to “completely control” Khartoum’s Republican Palace – the seat of the country’s presidency.

15 Apr 2023, 05:33:31 PM IST

Stranded passengers seen bowing their heads as RSF takes over Khartoum airport

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Force said it had taken control of Khartoum airport Saturday in response to army attacks on its bases. Visuals shared widely on social media showed passengers cowering as troops took over the area.

Know more: Watch: People at Khartoum airport in Sudan terrified after RSF takes control

15 Apr 2023, 05:23:18 PM IST

Wider conflict feared as clash continues

Fierce clashes between Sudan’s military and the country’s powerful paramilitary force erupted Saturday in the capital and elsewhere in the African nation, raising fears of a wider conflict in the chaos-stricken country.

15 Apr 2023, 05:22:56 PM IST

What led to Sunday’s clashes?

The clashes came as tensions between the military and the RSF have escalated in recent months, forcing a delay in the signing of an internationally backed deal with political parties to revive the country’s democratic transition.

Sudan has been marred in turmoil since October 2021, when a coup overthrew a Western-backed government, dashing Sudanese aspirations for democratic rule after three decades of autocracy and repression under Islamist ruler Omar al-Bashir.

While the army-RSF rivalry dates back to the rule of autocratic former president Omar al-Bashir, the situation worsened amid efforts to iron out Sudan’s unsigned transition agreement. There was disagreement over how the paramilitary RSF – headed by Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo – should be integrated into the military and what authority should oversee the process.

15 Apr 2023, 05:14:01 PM IST

Clashes at Sudanese state TV headquarters

Clashes are taking place at the headquarters of Sudan’s state TV, an anchor who appeared on screen briefly said on Saturday, amid clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army. Gunshots could be heard in the background, a Reuters witness said.

15 Apr 2023, 05:11:28 PM IST

Planes on fire at Khartoum airport

Visuals share on social media showed smoke billowing out of aircrafts. Unverified reports also suggest that some passengers have been injured or killed.

15 Apr 2023, 05:06:59 PM IST

Indian embassy in Sudan advises citizens to stay indoors

“Notice to all Indians in view of reported firings and clashes, all Indians are advised to take utmost precautions, stay indoors and stop venturing outside with immediate effect. Please also stay calm and wait for updates,” the Indian Embassy in Khartoum tweeted.

15 Apr 2023, 05:06:59 PM IST

Sudan air force strikes paramilitary bases in Khartoum: army

Sudan’s air force struck multiple paramilitary bases in Khartoum on Saturday, the army said, as fighting raged on the streets of the capital between the rival security forces.

“The Sudanese air force destroyed Tiba and Soba camps (in Khartoum) which belong to the Rapid Support (Forces) militia,” it said in a statement.