“Violent Clashes in Sudan’s Capital: Thousands Flee as Ceasefire Agreement is Violated”

The situation in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, is deteriorating as warlords in Sudan have continued armed conflict for five days, violating a ceasefire agreement. It was reported that the evacuation procession of Khartoum citizens who had been hiding in their homes to avoid the fighting had begun.

Foreign media such as AFP reported on the 19th (local time) that thousands of Khartoum citizens who suffered from food shortages and power cuts had abandoned their homes and were on the road to refuge.

The Sudanese government forces and the paramilitary organization Rapid Support Force (RSF) continued fierce fighting that day, ignoring the ceasefire agreement the previous day. Both sides are claiming each other violated the agreement. On the 16th, both sides announced that they had agreed to a 3-hour ceasefire for the evacuation of the wounded, but residents reported that fighting continued even during the ceasefire.

While explosions and gunshots continued throughout the city, witnesses said black smoke billowed from the headquarters of the government forces in the center of Khartoum. Government fighter jets bombed RSF facilities. There is also an eyewitness testimony that the stench is vibrating as the bodies are left on the street.

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A plume of smoke rises from behind buildings near Khartoum Airport, Sudan’s capital, on the 19th (local time). AFP Yonhap News

According to the Guardian, as the situation in Khartoum worsens, it is known that Germany and Japan are preparing to evacuate their citizens. However, the US embassy in Khartoum said, “Due to the uncertain security situation in Khartoum and the closure of the airport, there are no evacuation plans currently being coordinated by the US government.”

In Sudan, armed conflict between government forces and the RSF has been ongoing since the dawn of the 15th. As of the previous day, 185 people were killed and 1,800 were injured as a result of the clash. The World Health Organization (WHO) tallied 270 dead and 2,600 injured.

However, there is also an analysis that the number of casualties will be more than this because there are not a few people who could not go to the hospital as fighting broke out all over the city, including the attack on the hospital. It is reported that 39 out of 59 hospitals in Khartoum were attacked.