Tensions are rapidly escalating in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF), which also involves the air force, while both sides constantly make statements from each other about which parts of the country they claim they have taken under control. .

However, the paramilitary Sudanese Rapid Support Forces announced that they had taken control of the presidential palace, the residence of the army commander and Khartoum International Airport.

The RSF statement also says they have taken over airports in the northern city of Merov and El Obeid in the west.

With another, country army claims that it conducts air strikes against paramilitaries and maintains control of all bases and airfields, while claiming to be defending itself against paramilitary attacks on strategic locations in Khartoum.

Recently, a journalist appeared on state television briefly announcing the course of the clashes, while shots rang out from behindaccording to Reuters.

Saturday clashes

Formerly Mr. Sudanese army announced that paramilitary organization of the Rapid Support Force (RSF) tried to attack various positions of his troops, while the SLO accused the army of starting the clashes that broke out and announced that they had taken control of the international airport in Khartoum and the military base in Merov in the north of the country.

Fighting breaks out in Sudan’s capital like army, paramilitary trade accusations https://t.co/wSAJSonrve pic.twitter.com/IUDxtnNHHn

— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) April 15, 2023

This was reported by eyewitnesses quoted by Reuters. Strong fire was heard in Khartoum today next to the presidential palace, the headquarters of the Sudanese army and the Ministry of Defense in the center of the Sudanese capital.

At the same time, for clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital of the state of North Darfur, El Fassereyewitnesses told Reuters.

Attempted military coup #Sudan

Sudan’s international airport stopped receiving flights amid clashes between the Rapid Reaction Force and the army.

Explosions and gunfire are heard in the Sudanese capital. pic.twitter.com/yVvSnAmtL6

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 15, 2023

A military spokesman told AFP that clashes erupted in Khartoum this morning when the General’s Rapid Support Forces Mohammed Hamdan Dagaloknown as “Hemedi” and archrival of Sudan’s de facto leader and head of the armed forces. Abdel Fatah al-Burhanthey attacked army bases.

These attacks took place “in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan,” General Nabil Abdullah explained. “Fights are going on, and the army is doing its duty to defend the Motherland,” he added.

At the same time, the Rapid Support Forces of General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo accused the Sudanese army of instigating the clashes currently raging in Khartoum.

“The Rapid Support Forces were taken by surprise this morning by the arrival of a sizeable force of the Army, which laid siege to their camp in Soba, launching an “attack with all weapons, heavy and light,” a paramilitary group that consists of former Darfur War militias.

BREAKING: Planes catch fire at Khartoum airport after Sudanese coup attempt pic.twitter.com/aWdyMv23xs

— BNO News (@BNONews) April 15, 2023

The RSF also announced that it had taken control of Khartoum International Airport and the Sudanese army base at Merov in the north of the country.

RSF added that it is not aimed at civilians and urged the townspeople to stand by her side.

Reactions of the parties, USA, UK, Russia, Egypt

Sudanese political partiessignatory to the original power-sharing agreement with the country’s armed forces and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, called on both sides to cease hostilities.

#Sudan 🇸🇩: residents of the city #Khartoum Woke up this morning to the sound of gunshots and puffs of smoke rising into the air as clashes seem to have erupted in the capital.

These armed clashes followed weeks of rising tensions between SAF and SRB military factions. pic.twitter.com/QXQXRsGnzi

— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) April 15, 2023

Political parties also called on international and regional players to urgently help stop the bloodshed.

In the same time, US Ambassador in Sudan, John Godfrey said today, Saturday, that the escalation of tensions between military elements in Sudan is “extremely dangerous” and called on top leadership to stop fighting.

Godfrey added that he and the embassy staff were hiding in place.

British Embassy announced that he was following developments closely and urging British citizens in the country to stay in their homes.

AND The Russian Embassy in Sudan, he said he was concerned about the “escalation of violence” in the country and called for a ceasefire and negotiations, the Russian state news agency RIA reported.

The embassy said the atmosphere in the capital Khartoum was tense, but Russian diplomats were safe.

OUR Egyptexpressed grave concern over the ongoing conflict in Sudan and called on all parties to exercise restraint, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Blinken statements

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called the situation in Sudan “fragile” but insisted there was still a chance to complete the transition to a civilian government.

Speaking from Hanoi, Blinken said he called the situation “fragile” as some factors “could hinder this progress.”

History of violence

Today’s outbreak of violence days of tension followed between the military and a powerful paramilitary group. The event raised fears of a confrontation that would undermine long-standing efforts to restore Sudan’s political power following a series of fighting and military coups.

Hemedi placed itself at the forefront of the planned transition to democracy, which caused discomfort and anxiety among its military counterparts and provoked the mobilization of troops in the capital Khartoum.

split between forces this came to light last Thursday when the military said recent RSF movements, especially in Merobe, were uncoordinated and illegal.

The RSF statement said that the actions of the leadership of the armed forces and “certain officers” were an attack on their forces aimed at creating instability.

The SRB, which along with the army toppled longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, has begun redeploying units in Khartoum and elsewhere amid talks last month to join the army as part of a transition plan that will lead to new elections.

Hemidi, a former militia commander in Darfur, has been deputy head of the ruling council, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Buran, since 2019.

Source: Reuters, AFP, APE-MPE.