PremiumGun shots and tank canons could be heard ringing out in the city after talks between Sudan’s army and civilian politicians to discuss a potential power-sharing plan broke down.
Fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the country’s main paramilitary group on Saturday. Several gunshots and explosions rang out in various parts of Khartoum on Saturday morning as clashes were reported between rival factions of the armed forces.
Paramilitary forces claim to have taken control of the international airport in Khartoum as well as a second airport in Meroe. The paramilitary RSF also claimed to have taken over the Presidential Palace and Army Chief General Burhan's residence.
Many videos appeared on social media showing armed fighters driving across the runway of the city's international airport, conducting checkpoints at crucial traffic intersections, and moving through residential areas. At the same time, heavy gunfire was audible in the background.
Here are the latest updates:
“The ongoing violence across Sudan must stop immediately. The UK calls on the Sudanese leadership to do all they can to restrain their troops and deescalate to prevent further bloodshed. Military action will not resolve this situation," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Twitter.
"Chad appeals to the regional and international community as well as to all friendly countries to prioritise a return to peace," it said in a statement.
Its 1,403 km (872 mile) border with Sudan will remain closed until further notice.
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.
“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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visuals share on social media showed smoke billowing out of aircrafts. Unverified reports also suggest that some passengers have been injured or killed.
“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.
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.
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