UPDATE – At least three people died in the conflicts in Sudan

At least three people were killed in clashes that broke out on Saturday between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) in the capital Khartoum, reports Anadolia.

The Sudanese Committee of Doctors said two people were killed in fighting at Khartoum airport, while a third was killed in the town of El-Obeid, south of Khartoum.

Nine people were injured, including one military officer.

An Anadolu reporter in Khartoum said gunfire and explosions were heard near the military headquarters and the presidential palace.

The RSF called the army’s action a brutal attack, adding that they informed local and international mediators about the development.

The RSF also claim to have taken control of the airport in Khartoum, the presidential palace, the residence of the army chief and the Merowa military base in northern Sudan.

Speaking to Doha-based Al Jazeera television, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, described army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as a corrupt criminal who killed the people of Sudan, vowing to end the war in the next few days.

The Sudanese army has accused RSF fighters of attempting to attack its forces south of Khartoum.

“The rebel RSF is spreading lies about our forces attacking them, in order to cover up their rebellious behavior,” the statement said.

According to eyewitnesses, the Sudanese army carried out airstrikes on RSF bases in Khartoum, and the bases in Riyadh and Bahra to the east and north of the city were hit.

The Sudanese army denied the RSF’s claims of capturing the main sites.

Due to the conflict in Sudan, Chad closed its borders with that country on Saturday. Chadian authorities called for calm, cessation of hostilities and dialogue.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt suspended flights to Khartoum airport on Saturday.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the outbreak of violence between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces. He called on them to immediately end hostilities, restore peace and initiate dialogue to resolve the current crisis.

Guterres called on UN member states in the region to support efforts to restore order and return to the path of transition.

“The European Union calls on all parties to show leadership and engage in an immediate cessation of hostilities. At this critical moment, priority should be given to silencing the weapons, de-escalating the situation and resolving differences through dialogue,” said the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell who condemned the escalation of violence.

On Saturday, Russia called for urgent steps to end the violent clashes.

“The dramatic events taking place in Sudan are causing serious concern in Moscow. We call on the parties to the conflict to show political will and restraint and take immediate steps towards a ceasefire. We proceed from the fact that all disagreements can be resolved through negotiations,” the ministry said in a statement. of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday called on all actors in Sudan to stop the violence and avoid further escalation.

“I am deeply concerned by reports of an escalation of violence between the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF. We are in contact with the embassy team in Khartoum,” Blinken said on Twitter and called on all actors to avoid further escalation and continue talks to resolve outstanding issues.

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