Sudan Request Indians To Remain Indoors Amid Army-Paramilitary Conflict

In response to explosions and gunfire in the capital city as paramilitaries and the regular army waged attacks on each other’s bases, India’s embassy in the African nation has asked Indians in Sudan to seek shelter.

India in Sudan, “Notice to all Indians. In view of reported firings and clashes, all Indians are advised to take utmost precautions, stay indoors and stop venturing outside with immediate effect. Please also stay calm and wait for updates”, through its official Twitter handle.

After weeks of simmering tensions between military head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army, violence erupted in Sudan on Saturday.

Witnesses reported confrontations as well as loud explosions and gunfire near an RSF base in Khartoum’s south.

The RSF claimed possession of Khartoum airport after witnesses reported seeing truckloads of militants enter the site.

Gunshots could be heard near the airport, as well as near Burhan’s home and in Khartoum North. As artillery engagements rattled the streets, civilians were spotted fleeing for cover.

The two sides blamed each other for beginning the conflict.

“The Rapid Support Forces were surprised Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps in Soba in Khartoum and laying siege to paramilitaries there”, the statement added.

A “sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons” was stated to be underway.

The RSF claimed to have gained control of the airport in Merowe, north of Khartoum.

The army blamed the severe combat on paramilitaries.

Army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah said, “Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces attacked several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan”.

“Clashes are ongoing, and the army is doing its duty to protect the country”, he added.

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