Sat 15 Apr 2023:
Clashes erupted in the Sudanese capital on Saturday between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Gunfire and bombs were heard near the army headquarters and presidential palace, according to an Anadolu reporter in Khartoum.
The rift between the forces came to the surface on Thursday when the army said recent movements by RSF – a powerful paramilitary group – had happened without coordination and were illegal.
Explosions, shooting rock Khartoum as clashes broke out between Sudanese army and RSF#Khartoum #Sudan pic.twitter.com/JsdxgysqvJ
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) April 15, 2023
The RSF said in a statement that its forces were in the Soba outskirt of the city, while army sources said the paramilitary force was attempting to seize the army headquarters.
The paramilitary force said its fighters had taken control of Khartoum airport and Merowe military base in northern Sudan.
For its part, the army accused the RSF fighters of attempting to attack its forces south of Khartoum.
The dispute between the two sides came to the surface on Thursday when the army said recent movements by the RSF had happened without coordination and were illegal.
BREAKING: Fighting breaks out in Sudanese capital pic.twitter.com/SG6kDWVrMV
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) April 15, 2023
Army declares RSF a ‘rebel’ group
In a statement from the Sudanese army, the military has declared the RSF a “rebel force,” describing the paramilitary’s statements as “lies”.
The army-RSF rivalry dates back to the rule of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019.
Under the former president, the paramilitary force grew out of former armed groups known as the Janjaweed – that carried out a crackdown in Sudan’s Darfur region during the decades of conflict there.
🇸🇩 BREAKING: Fighting breaks out in Sudanese capital
Gunfire, bombs heard near army headquarters, presidential palace in Khartoum amid clashes between army, paramilitary force.
Video from inside #Khartoum #Airport where the #Sudan army is battling RSF fighters. pic.twitter.com/hS8oWFHsso
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) April 15, 2023
RSF claims seizure of Khartoum airport
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces says it has taken control of Khartoum international airport, Reuters news agency reported.
The RSF said in a statement not only had it been able to take control of the airport, but also the Merowe military base in the north of the country. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the RSF’s claims.
Earlier, the RSF said the army had surrounded one of its bases and opened fire with heavy weapons.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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