The accounts of eyewitnesses and an official report confirmed that a Sudanese army airstrike on the capital resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people and caused injuries to a significant number of individuals.
Eyewitnesses, in their accounts, disclosed that women and children were among those affected by the airstrike.
The targeted area of the airstrike was the Dar es Salaam district in Omdurman, situated on the opposite side of the Nile from Khartoum. The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday
Since April, there has been a protracted battle for control over the capital between the army and a paramilitary force.
The conflict erupted as a result of a disagreement between Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the army, and Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), regarding the future trajectory of the country.
A health official in Khartoum state, quoted by Reuters news agency, confirmed that the airstrike on Saturday claimed the lives of at least 22 people. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), however, asserted that the death toll was 31.
In their statement, the paramilitary group underlined that the airstrike had led to significant damage to residential properties.
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Much of Khartoum, as well as the twin cities of Omdurman and Bahri, is under the control of the RSF. In an attempt to dislodge the paramilitary fighters, the army has been carrying out recurrent artillery and air attacks. Saturday’s airstrike is considered to have resulted in one of the highest death tolls from a single attack.
Ongoing conflict over the past twelve weeks has instilled fear among the civilian population in the capital. The closure of shops and markets, as well as the near-total shutdown of medical facilities, has added to their distress.
The conflict has escalated beyond the city limits, with its impact spreading to the western Darfur region, which has witnessed a surge in ethnic violence.
The conflict’s toll on the nation includes hundreds of fatalities and the displacement of nearly three million people from their residences.
There have been endeavors to establish temporary ceasefires, but their longevity has been brief, and they have achieved only partial success.
Igad, the regional organization comprising East African nations, is committed to reviving peace talks and has scheduled a summit in Ethiopia for Monday.
Disappointingly, a spokesperson for Gen Burhan stated that he had declined the invitation to attend the meeting.