×
  • World - Africa
  • Updated: May 22, 2023

Sudan: Airstrikes Hit Khartoum As Weeklong Ceasefire Approaches

Sudan: Airstrikes Hit Khartoum As Weeklong Ceasefire Approac

Sudan's army conducted airstrikes in the capital, Khartoum, on Monday, residents said, seeking to win ground against its paramilitary rivals hours before a weeklong ceasefire aimed at allowing delivery of aid was to take effect.

According to witnesses, the army also conducted airstrikes on Sunday into the evening, targeting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces' mobile units that have been operating throughout the capital's civilian neighbourhoods ever since the battle between the two military groups broke out on April 15.

A cease-fire will be in effect starting at 9:45 p.m. local time (19:45 GMT) according to both parties. 

Prior cease-fires have not prevented fighting from continuing, but this is the first truce that was publicly reached after talks.

The Saudi Arabian and American diplomats who mediated the accord after meetings in Jeddah are included in the monitoring mechanism for the cease-fire, along with members of the army and the RSF.

With roughly 1.1 million people forced from their homes, including more than 250,000 who fled to neighbouring countries, the violence has threatened to destabilize a fragile region. The pact has increased expectations of a pause in the conflict.

Residents in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri—the three cities that make up the larger capital and are divided by the confluence of the Blue and White Niles—reported airstrikes on Monday. They added that the centre of Khartoum could hear fighting.

The RSF has been difficult for the army to drive out of neighbourhoods where it has occupied homes and important locations in the heart of Khartoum.

The army has relied heavily on airstrikes and heavy artillery, whereas the RSF, which has its roots in the dreaded militias that fought alongside the government in Darfur, is skilled at ground combat.

Millions of people in Khartoum have been confined to their homes or neighbourhoods for more than five weeks due to conflict.

Residents have reported devastating power and water disruptions as well as an increase in looting and violence. In certain places, food supplies have been running low, and the majority of hospitals have stopped taking patients.

The Jeddah-mediated deal is aimed at enabling aid in and reestablishing key services. In order to forge a long-term peace agreement with civilian participation, mediators say additional negotiations would be required to demand the withdrawal of the military from urban centres. 

Related Topics

Join our Telegram platform to get news update Join Now

0 Comment(s)

See this post in...

Notice

We have selected third parties to use cookies for technical purposes as specified in the Cookie Policy. Use the “Accept All” button to consent or “Customize” button to set your cookie tracking settings