Heavy fighting in Sudan as Rapid Support Force (RSF) launches a coup against the army
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RSF (Rapid Support Force) launches a coup against the army in Sudan causing panic in the capital Khartoum
RSF (Rapid Support Force) launches a coup against the army in Sudan causing panic in the capital Khartoum.
On Saturday, skirmishes between the Sudanese army and its paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in the country’s capital city of Khartoum.
The RSF said it had taken control of the presidential palace, the residence of the army chief, and Khartoum international airport.
The conflict follows days of tension between the army and the powerful RSF, which raised concerns about a confrontation.
A witness who spoke to Reuters claimed to have seen armored vehicles on the streets and heard heavy gunfire close to the army and RSF headquarters.
The source of the gunfire could not be immediately confirmed by Reuters. People could be seen running in panic through the capital.
The rift between the forces came to the surface on Thursday when the army said recent movements by the RSF had been made without coordination and were illegal.
A statement by the RSF on Saturday called the army’s actions a “brute assault” and called for it to be condemned.
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. They claimed they seized the city’s airport and “completely controlled”
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Khartoum’s Republican Palace, the seat of the country’s presidency. The group also said it seized an airport and air base in the northern city of Marawi, some 350 kilometers (215 miles) northwest of Khartoum.
The Sudanese army said fighting broke out after RSF troops tried to attack its forces in the southern part of the capital.
Later, the military declared the RSF a “rebel force,” describing the paramilitary’s statements as “lies.”
In Saturday’s statement, the RSF said it was contacted by three former rebel leaders who hold government positions in an apparent bid to de-escalate the conflict.
A confrontation between the two forces could bring prolonged strife across a vast country already dealing with economic breakdown and flare-ups of tribal violence.
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