Sudan airspace closed as civilian death toll nears 100 amid power struggle
3 min read
Sudan airspace closed as civilian death toll nears 100 amid power struggle between army and RSF
Sudan airspace closed as civilian death toll nears 100 amid power struggle between army and RSF.
A military coup is still underway in Sudan with heavy fighting including gunfire and explosions being been reported in the capital, Khartoum, and at HSSK/Khartoum Airport.
On April 16, Sudan’s CAA notified that all airspace over the country will closed until further notice, including the suspension of air navigation services throughout the entire HSSS/Khartoum FIR, as well as South Sudan above FL245 due to ‘security reasons.’
News first emerged on April 15 when Sudan’s paramilitary group ‘Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) became engaged in active fighting with the state military in Khartoum in an apparent coup attempt.
While the details were scarce, they reportedly seized control of several important assets, including HSSK/Khartoum Airport.
There has been a power struggle between the two rival military forces since an overthrow of the government back in 2019.
A failure for the existing government to successfully transition Sudan to a freely elected one has fanned the flames.
Meanwhile, dozens of civilians have died and hundreds have been injured as forces loyal to two rival generals battle for control of power for a third day.
At least 97 civilians have been killed in the crossfire while 365 others have been wounded, according to a statement released Monday morning from the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, a pro-democracy group monitoring casualties.
Sudan Army and RSF forces claim control of strategic installations
UN responds to “purported” negative remarks on Ruto in US leaked documents
Rift Valley leaders dare IG Koome over his outburst on Raila
The group noted there was “a number of injuries and deaths that are not included” because some “hospitals could not be accessed due to the difficulty of mobility and security situation in the country.”
The WHO said in a statement Sunday that it is “monitoring the health needs and resources across Khartoum and other affected cities to ensure that limited supplies are directed to where they are most needed.”
However, movement in the capital “is restricted due to the insecurity creating challenges for doctors, nurses, patients, and ambulances to reach health facilities, and putting at risk the lives of those who need urgent medical care,” according to the WHO.
The clashes are the culmination of weeks of tensions between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces, a Sudanese paramilitary group.
So far, neither has shown any indication of backing down.
The two men were once allies who had jointly orchestrated a military coup in 2021 that dissolved Sudan’s power-sharing government and derailed its short-lived transition to democracy, following the ousting of a long-time dictator in 2019.
Also read,
Ruto strategy to stay in power beyond 2027 revealed
Sudan army claims “the hour of victory is near”
Four Venezuelans including Jose Carmago back in Kenya to tinker with IEBC servers, Raila
Follow us
