{"id":14783,"date":"2023-04-17T11:05:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T09:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=14783"},"modified":"2023-04-17T22:23:53","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T20:23:53","slug":"death-toll-rises-to-56-as-sudans-army-and-paramilitary-force-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/death-toll-rises-to-56-as-sudans-army-and-paramilitary-force-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"More than 180 killed as Sudan\u2019s army and paramilitary force battle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated on April 18<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sudan\u2019s military and the country\u2019s powerful paramilitary force engaged in intense fights in Sudan\u2019s capital Khartoum raising fears of a civil war.<\/strong> At least 185 people have been killed and injured more than 1,800, according o UN amid airstrikes and fighting across Sudan.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two sides are using tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons in densely populated areas and are \u201cnot giving the impression that they want mediation for peace\u201d immediately, the United Nations envoy on Sudan Volker Perthes said<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wave of deadly clashes surfaced in Khartoum and other major cities on April 15, 2023, amid fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) in the race to seize power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intense fighting between the two sides has gripped Sudan\u2019s capital further derailing the African nation\u2019s efforts to conduct democratic elections following the ouster of long-ruling autocrat Omar al Bashir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaders of Sudan\u2019s two major armed institutions, RSF and SAF have been at odds for a long time to seize the power. In the latest clashes, RSF managed to take control of the capital by capturing the residence of the army chief, presidential palace, and Khartoum international airport after an intense fight with the SAF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RSF stated that it was first attacked by the army. RSF also highlighted that they had “seized the airports in the northern city of Merowe and El-Obeid in the west.” To prevent RSF from taking control of the crucial state infrastructures, the Sudanese army started carrying out aerial operations in different cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several civilians have been reported dead during the clashes, however, due to the lack of coordination, so far it is unclear how many deaths have taken place as a result of the deadly clashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chaotic scenes in Khartoum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

European Union\u2019s ambassador to Sudan has been assaulted in his residency as the fighting entered the third day on April 17. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell said<\/span><\/a> \u201cThis constitutes a gross violation of the Vienna Convention. Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi passenger plane was also hit by gunfire. According to the Saudi Arabian embassy in Khartoum, an Airbus A330 bound for Saudi Arabia \u201cwas exposed to gunfire damage with guests and crew on board.\u201d The embassy has advised its citizens in Sudan to stay at home. Saudia Airlines reported that all crew members and passengers safely evacuated the aircraft and are now at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan. Ukrainian operator SkyUp Airlines also said that their aircraft has also been affected by the hostilities at Khartoum airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deadly clashes in Sudan have resulted in aircraft damage at Khartoum Airport, including a Saudia A330. Saudi Airlines has suspended all flights to #Sudan<\/a> as clashes erupt between the Sudanese army and paramilitary force pic.twitter.com\/X26BTVME1y<\/a><\/p>\u2014 IRIA (@IRIA_Research) April 16, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>