At least three civilian deaths have been reported as a result of fighting between the Sudanese army and a notorious paramilitary group in the country’s capital, Khartoum.
Residents had to take cover from bullets as different forces fought for control of the presidential palace, state TV, and army headquarters.
Tensions over a potential switch to civilian control caused the confrontations to break out.
According to the army, its adversaries, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are being targeted by jets. Both sides assert control over the airport and other important locations.
Other areas of the nation, particularly cities in the Darfur region, also reported battles.
The RSF, led by Sudan’s deputy leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and army forces loyal to the de facto leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, are engaged in combat.
Gen. Dagalo promised that his soldiers would keep fighting until every army base had been taken.
As black smoke rose over Khartoum and the commotion persisted, people were seen fleeing and seeking cover on the camera.
A Reuters reporter reported seeing armored vehicles on the streets, and footage from the airport of Khartoum showed a passenger airliner on fire. According to Saudi airline Saudia, one of its Airbuses was attacked.
Flights from Saudia and EgyptAir to Khartoum have been canceled, and neighboring Chad has closed its border with Sudan.
Since a coup in October 2021, generals have been in charge of the country through a body known as the Sovereign Council.
Hemedti serves as the council’s vice president, and Gen. Burhan serves as its president. However, a plan to switch to a civilian-led administration has failed due to delays in the RSF’s integration into the national army. The army claimed it should happen in two years while the RSF wanted to put it off for ten.
