Credit: Reuters
Heavy gunfire and explosion have been heard in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, following days of tension between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group.
The tension between the army and RSF escalated on Thursday after the RSF moved some of its forces near a military airport.
Sudan’s army said the move was without its consent.
On Saturday, shooting was heard in the base of Sudan’s army headquarters and the defence ministry in central Khartoum, Al-Jazeera reports.
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Smoke plumes rising from various parts of the city were seen while soldiers were deployed on the streets to rein the chaos.
“The Rapid Support Forces were surprised on Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps in Soba in Khartoum and laying siege to paramilitaries there,” the RSF said.
RSF added that the army “launched a sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons”.
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The army accused RSF fighters of trying to seize the military headquarters.
“Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces attacked several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan,” Nabil Abdallah, army spokesman, said.
“Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country.”
There are disagreements over how the RSF should be integrated into the military and what authority should oversee the process.
The move is part of Sudan’s transition to a civilian-led government.
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The RSF wanted to delay the integration for 10 years, but the army said it should happen in two years.
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