At least 200 people have been killed and 1,800 civilians and combatants injured in the deadly clashes that erupted in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, between rival factions of the armed forces to battle for control of the northeast African nation.
The United Nations (UN) says more than 180 people have been killed since the fighting began. However, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said that a total of 270 people had been killed in violence, adding that there were “disturbing reports of some health facilities being looted and others being used for military purposes.” Sudan’s Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre also reported 270 deaths and more than 2,600 injuries.
❗ Update from Sudan ❗
— MSF International (@MSF) April 18, 2023
As of this morning our teams have received 183 wounded people and 25 deaths.
Providing healthcare continues to be difficult due to a lack of supplies. All parties of the conflict must ensure the protection of health personnel and facilities.
Heavy fighting was reported round Khartoum international airport where Saudi Arabian flag-carrier Saudia and Ukrainian SkyUp Airlines were caught up in the hostilities.
Civilians, diplomats, humanitarian workers attacked
Chaotic scenes unfolded in the capital of Khartoum, a city of 10 million, which has been rocked by gunfire, explosions and fighter jets. Smoke emanated from various places and soldiers were deployed on the streets as civilians were seen running for cover. “We haven’t seen such battles in Khartoum before,” a resident Abdel-Hamid Mustafa told AP.
Recent reports suggested that gunmen also stormed the homes of people working for the UN and other international organizations, amid conflicting reports of an agreed ceasefire.
Multiple diplomats and humanitarian workers have been reportedly targeted. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed there was an attack on a US diplomatic convoy on Monday. The European Union ambassador to Sudan was also assaulted in his residency, according to a spokesperson for the EU’s top diplomat.
Three workers from the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) were killed in Darfur, prompting the WFP to temporarily halt all services in the country.
The targeting of humanitarian workers and facilities continues in #Sudan.
— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) April 18, 2023
We’re receiving reports of attacks and sexual violence against aid workers.
And yesterday, our @UNOCHA_Sudan office in South Darfur was looted.
This is unacceptable and must stop. #NotATarget
“The killing of humanitarian workers and scores of Sudanese is unacceptable,” Kurt Tjossem, International Rescue Committee (IRC) Regional Vice President, East Africa, said in a statement. “The IRC calls upon all stakeholders to work without delay to address outstanding issues with a view to achieving a lasting, inclusive political peace.”
Food, water and medicine shortages
Sudanese people are fearing food, water and medicine shortages after the clashes between military factions entered fifth day on Tuesday. The Doctors Syndicate Steering Committee in Sudan reported that 16 hospitals in Khartoum and other cities are out of service, and some have been bombed. There were also reports of hospitals turned into battlefield.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned the country’s health system was at risk of collapse, saying that it was nearly impossible to provide humanitarian services around the Sudanese capital Khartoum. “The truth is that at the moment it is almost impossible to provide any humanitarian services in and around Khartoum,” Farid Aiywar, IFRC head of delegation for Sudan, told reporters.
Sudan crisis explained: Why has fighting broken out and who is behind it?
The fighting revolves around two groups — Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The clashes are essentially a power struggle between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s transitional governing Sovereign Council, and paramilitary RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who is deputy head of the council.
In 2021, a coup in Sudan ended a transitional government established after the 2019 fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, who served as Sudan’s president for nearly 30 years before being toppled by the army. Since then, the country has been under military rule with General Abdel-Fattah Burhan as the de facto ruler.
After Bashir’s ouster, there was supposed to be a transition to civilian rule with elections planned for the end of 2023, and Burhan promised the transition. However, recent events indicate otherwise as Burhan and Dagalo are engaged in a violent power struggle that worsened on April 15, 2023.
The violence has been brewing for a while regarding concerns over the RSF seeking to control more of the country’s economic assets but the cause of the recent conflict was a disagreement over how the RSF should be integrated into the Sudanese army.
Blinken calls for a ceasefire, UN warns of ‘catastrophic’ humanitarian situation
The U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UN security council, EU and African Union have appealed for a quick end to the hostilities that threaten the already volatile wider region.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE and the U.S. held a phone call to discuss the ongoing situation in Sudan and called for a halt to military escalation and a return to a framework agreement between civilian political forces and the military.
U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken spoke separately with General Hamdan and General al-Burhan to underscore “the urgency of reaching a ceasefire,” the State Department spokesman said.
Egypt has also been “in direct communication with both parties” encouraging restraint, cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told media.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern and said: “The humanitarian situation in Sudan was already precarious and is now catastrophic”.
Fighting in Sudan has already led to horrendous loss of life.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 17, 2023
Any further escalation could be devastating for the country & the region.
Those with influence over the situation must use it to support efforts to end the violence, restore order & return to the path of transition.
The two warring parties in Sudan said that they are committing to the 24-hour ceasefire, intended to go into effect later on April 18.
