Despite the 72-hour ceasefire between the two warring sides in Sudan, the capital was riddled by strikes by air, tanks, and artillery, according to Newsmax. The strikes were reportedly a mockery of the ceasefire during a war between the nation’s army and paramilitary force.
The two sides, led by the head of the army Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, were reportedly working together to oust Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, but conflict broke out as they tried to restore civilian rule. Now, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are fighting one another for power, which has interrupted an internationally supported democratic election on April 15.
Hundreds have been killed in the war and tens of thousands have fled the country, creating a chaotic situation between the Sahel and the Red Sea. Residents have said that they have left behind everything they had to ensure the protection of their children.
“From the warplanes to the tanks and rockets, we had no other option than to leave,” said Sudanese man Motaz Ahmed.
Foreign nationals were also stranded in the country, but evacuation missions have been conducted by the United Kingdom. As the U.K. began to rescue British nationals, however, the United States has refused to conduct missions for American citizens, claiming that it is too dangerous and saying they ignored previous warnings and should instead shelter in place, according to The Washington Examiner.
Residents of the country are paying the price as they are left with scant food, water, fuel, and power. The army has deployed jets and drones in neighborhoods to target the RSF forces. The United Nations reports that at least 512 people have been killed and 4,200 have been wounded.
The RSF has blamed the army for violating the ceasefire by conducting strikes on its bases in Omdurman. In turn, the army accused the RSF.
