Heavy clashes in Sudan despite ceasefire

Kathmandu: Heavy clashes between rival forces were reported in and around the Sudanese capital Khartoum despite a 24-hour humanitarian ceasefire.

Battles have continued near the army’s headquarters, the presidential palace, and Khartoum Airport, the report said.

The regular army and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have issued statements accusing each other of failing to respect the ceasefire.

The army’s high command said it would continue operations to secure the capital and other regions.

The Sudanese army issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the army had been attacked by the RSF at its general command headquarters.

The statement added that the army repelled the attack and inflicting ‘heavy losses’ on the enemy. As the fighting rages, the army has also called on RSF to surrender, adding that anyone who surrenders will be pardoned.

The unexpected fighting that erupted on Saturday has already claimed at least 200 lives, injuring many more and destroying public infrastructures.

Many hospitals in Khartoum remain out of service and medical personnel have been unable to reach healthcare facilities.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has said it was nearly impossible to provide humanitarian services around the capital. It warned that Sudan’s health system was at risk of breakdown.