After a three-day ceasefire
Heavy fighting broke out again in Sudan
06/21/2023, 11:09 am
In Sudan, the army and the paramilitary RSF militia are once again engaged in heavy fighting following the end of a three-day ceasefire. The US and Saudi Arabia are considering ramping down efforts to resolve the conflict.
After a three-day ceasefire, fighting broke out in several places in the Sudanese capital Khartoum between the army and the RSF militia. Fighting was also reported from the cities of Bahri and Omdurman, which border Khartoum, shortly before the end of the ceasefire.
In any case, the ceasefire was not observed by the paramilitary militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army in places. As with previous ceasefires, limited fighting had broken out. In light of this development, the US and Saudi Arabia are considering slowing down their efforts to resolve the conflict. Both states had mediated several ceasefires between the civil war parties in Jeddah. They now stated that they were considering whether further Jeddah negotiations should be postponed.
Eyewitnesses reported that fighter jets were in action over Omdurman. Anti-aircraft fire from the RSF could also be heard. An artillery position north of Omdurman was shelling enemy targets. Ground troops fought in southern Khartoum. Late on Tuesday, both sides blamed the other side for a major fire at the intelligence agency’s headquarters.
The headquarters are located in a military complex in the center of Khartoum, which has been embattled since the armed conflict began on April 15. Parts of the capital are now devastated. Serious attacks on the population have taken place in the Darfur region in the west. So far, over 2.5 million people have been forced to flee. Observers fear the conflict could destabilize the entire region.