Khartoum: The Indian Embassy in Sudan has warned its citizens to stay indoors and not to venture out in the wake of clashes between Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces. Embassy of India in Sudan tweeted, “Notice to all Indians in view of the firing and clashes, all Indians are advised to exercise extreme caution, stay indoors and stop moving out with immediate effect. Please stay calm and stay updated.” Wait.”
Notice to all Indians
In view of the reported firing and clashes, all Indians are advised to take utmost care, stay indoors and stop moving out with immediate effect. Please also stay calm and wait for the updates. — India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 15, 2023
As clashes were reported between rival factions of the armed forces in Sudan, several gunshots and explosions were reported in different parts of Khartoum on Saturday morning, The New York Times reported. Several videos appeared on social media showing armed fighters driving down the runway of the city’s international airport, manning checkpoints at key traffic intersections and marching through residential areas.
At the same time, heavy gunfire was heard in the background. The clashes were a terrifying development after weeks of escalating tensions between the Sudanese army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary organisation. By Lieutenant General Mohammad Hamdan.
In recent days, UN officials and ambassadors from several countries have struggled to prevent tensions from escalating into violence. But those efforts appeared to be failing Saturday morning, according to the New York Times, as worried locals huddled inside their homes. Both sides are accusing each other of starting the fight.
Rapid Support Forces said in a statement that it first attacked a camp in Soba, south of Khartoum, in a “sweeping attack with all types of heavy and light weapons” by the regular army.
The army promised this month to hand over control to a civilian-led government, 18 months after the coup. Nevertheless, the rivalry between General al-Burhan and General Hamdan, also known as Hemeti, has dominated the process.
Over the past few months the two generals have openly criticized each other in speeches, and they have sent reinforcements and armored vehicles to opposing military camps spread around the city.
Residents’ worst fears came true on Saturday when fighting soon spread across the Nile River to Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman, where locals reported armed men surrounded the offices of the state broadcaster. According to the New York Times report, the central was canceled in Khartoum.