Civilian deaths top 500 as fighting rages in Sudan
Gunfire and artillery fire continued in parts of Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Saturday, residents said. extension of the ceasefire Between the country’s two top generals, fighting for power left hundreds dead and thousands fled for their lives. Meanwhile, the first operation to free US civilians trapped in Sudan is underway, with hundreds of Americans preparing to sail to safety.
Since then, more than 500 people have died and thousands have been injured. The battle for the capital began two weeks ago, leading to an exodus from Africa’s third-largest country. CBS News confirmed that the Americans left the capital Khartoum on Friday and embarked on a 12-hour drive to the coast in a convoy of 18 buses. is to go
Khartoum, a city of about 5 million people, has turned into the front line of a bitter conflict between the commander of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah Burhan, and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads a militia known as the powerful militia. Did. A swift aid force that dashed the once euphoric hopes of Sudan’s transition to democracy.
Other countries continued to evacuate diplomats and citizens, and thousands of Sudanese fled across the border to Chad and Egypt. According to the United Nations, up to 20,000 refugees, mostly women and children, have crossed the western border into Chad. Chad is a country that has struggled for stability after her coup two years ago.
Those fleeing fighting in Khartoum face more obstacles to safety. The overland journey to Port Sudan, where ships evacuate people via the Red Sea, has proven long and dangerous. Former journalist Hatim El-Madani said paramilitary fighters stopped refugees at barricades on the outskirts of the capital and demanded that they hand over their mobile phones and valuables.
“RSF militias have a outlaw and bandit-like quality,” he said, referring to Rapid Support Forces. “It shows they don’t have a supply line and could get worse in the coming days.”
Airlift from the country has also raised challenges, with a Turkish evacuation plane coming under fire outside Khartoum on Friday.
Residents said clashes continued Saturday around the presidential palace, the headquarters of the state broadcaster and a military base in Khartoum, despite the ceasefire being extended 72 hours before Friday under international pressure. rice field. The battle sent a thick column of black smoke billowing over the city skyline.
In some areas near the capital, including Omdurman, residents reported that some shops had reopened as the fighting dwindled, with both sides trying to honor a tenuous ceasefire. , as explosions rang out around them, residents who had taken refuge in their homes said the fighters were running out of their homes, scaring people and stealing whatever they could find.
After three weeks of fighting, parts of Khartoum have no electricity or running water. Those sheltering in their homes say they are running out of food and basic supplies. On Saturday, a resident of Omdurman city, west of Khartoum, said he had waited three days to get fuel, complicating his escape plan.
UN relief coordinator Martin Griffiths said the UN offices in Khartoum were all attacked and looted, as well as the cities of Genena and Nyala in Darfur. “This is unacceptable and prohibited by international law,” he said.
Generals who have beaten each other for the past 15 days have been unable to land a decisive blow on each other in their struggle for control of Africa’s third-largest country. The military has a monopoly on air power and appears to have the upper hand in combat, but it is impossible to confirm claims of advances.
The Sudanese military said on social media Saturdya that “soon, the Sudanese state with its well-founded institutions will be victorious and any attempt to hijack our country will cease forever.”
Khartoum and many hospitals across the country were closed.
Few wanted the conflict to end anytime soon.
“Both parties are digging,” said former journalist El Madani. “This war could last a long time.”
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Gunfire and artillery fire continued in parts of Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Saturday, residents said. extension of the ceasefire Between the country’s two top generals, fighting for power left hundreds dead and thousands fled for their lives. Meanwhile, the first operation to free US civilians trapped in Sudan is underway, with hundreds of Americans preparing to sail to safety. Since then, more than 500 people have died and thousands have been injured. The battle for the capital began two weeks ago, leading to an exodus from Africa’s third-largest country. CBS News confirmed that the Americans left the capital Khartoum on Friday and embarked on a 12-hour drive to the coast in a convoy of 18 buses. is to goKhartoum, a city of about 5 million people, has turned into the front line of a bitter conflict between the commander of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah Burhan, and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads a militia known as the powerful militia. Did. A swift aid force that dashed the once euphoric hopes of Sudan’s transition to democracy.
Other countries continued to evacuate diplomats and citizens, and thousands of Sudanese fled across the border to Chad and Egypt. According to the United Nations, up to 20,000 refugees, mostly women and children, have crossed the western border into Chad. Chad is a country that has struggled for stability after her coup two years ago.Those fleeing fighting in Khartoum face more obstacles to safety. The overland journey to Port Sudan, where ships evacuate people via the Red Sea, has proven long and dangerous. Former journalist Hatim El-Madani said paramilitary fighters stopped refugees at barricades on the outskirts of the capital and demanded that they hand over their mobile phones and valuables.
“RSF militias have a outlaw and bandit-like quality,” he said, referring to Rapid Support Forces. “It shows they don’t have a supply line and could get worse in the coming days.”Airlift from the country has also raised challenges, with a Turkish evacuation plane coming under fire outside Khartoum on Friday.Residents said clashes continued Saturday around the presidential palace, the headquarters of the state broadcaster and a military base in Khartoum, despite the ceasefire being extended 72 hours before Friday under international pressure. rice field. The battle sent a thick column of black smoke billowing over the city skyline.
British citizens prepare to be evacuated to a RAF aircraft at Wadi Saydna Air Base, Sudan, Thursday 27 April 2023, in this photo courtesy of the UK Ministry of Defense. (PO Phot Arron Hoare via AP/MoD)
PO Photo Aron Hoa / AP
In some areas near the capital, including Omdurman, residents reported that some shops had reopened as the fighting dwindled, with both sides trying to honor a tenuous ceasefire. , as explosions rang out around them, residents who had taken refuge in their homes said the fighters were running out of their homes, scaring people and stealing whatever they could find.
After three weeks of fighting, parts of Khartoum have no electricity or running water. Those sheltering in their homes say they are running out of food and basic supplies. On Saturday, a resident of Omdurman city, west of Khartoum, said he had waited three days to get fuel, complicating his escape plan.UN relief coordinator Martin Griffiths said the UN offices in Khartoum were all attacked and looted, as well as the cities of Genena and Nyala in Darfur. “This is unacceptable and prohibited by international law,” he said.Generals who have beaten each other for the past 15 days have been unable to land a decisive blow on each other in their struggle for control of Africa’s third-largest country. The military has a monopoly on air power and appears to have the upper hand in combat, but it is impossible to confirm claims of advances.The Sudanese military said on social media Saturdya that “soon, the Sudanese state with its well-founded institutions will be victorious and any attempt to hijack our country will cease forever.”Khartoum and many hospitals across the country were closed.Few wanted the conflict to end anytime soon.”Both parties are digging,” said former journalist El Madani. “This war could last a long time.”
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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/as-battle-for-sudan-rages-on-civilian-deaths-top-500/ Civilian deaths top 500 as fighting rages in Sudan