Sudan’s main paramilitary group said it had taken control of the presidential palace, the residence of the army chief and Khartoum international airport on Saturday in an apparent coup attempt as clashes erupted with the military.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which accused the army of attacking them first, also said they had seized the airports in the northern city of Merowe and in El-Obeid in the west.
The Sudanese air force is conducting operations against the RSF, the army said. Footage from broadcasters showed a military aircraft in the sky above Khartoum, but Reuters could not independently confirm the material.
Gunfire could be heard in several parts of Khartoum and eyewitnesses reporting shooting in adjoining cities.
A Reuters journalist saw cannon and armoured vehicles deployed in the streets of the capital, and heard heavy weapons fire near the headquarters of both the army and RSF.
Doctors said clashes had occurred in residential neighborhoods and civilians had been injured.
Clashes were also taking place at the headquarters of Sudan’s state TV, an anchor who appeared on screen briefly said.
Egypt, one of the most influential Arab states, expressed grave concern over the clashes and called on all parties to exercise restraint, the foreign ministry said.
The US ambassador to Sudan has been forced to take shelter after sustained fighting broke out in the capital Khartoum, as tension between the military and powerful paramilitary forces escalates.
John Godfrey said he and embassy staff were sheltering in place as heavy firing was heard in a number of areas.
The British embassy has also warned UK nationals to “remain indoors” as it monitors the situation.
Clashes between Sudan’s army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are ongoing around the presidential palace and Khartoum International Airport as both sides fight for control of symbolic sites.
Residents are camped in their homes as black smoke from heavy gunfire covers areas of the capital, with injured civilians having started pouring into hospitals.
Fighting started early on Saturday morning in southern Khartoum and spread to the rest of the city.
Mr Godfrey said the escalation was “extremely dangerous” and called on senior leadership to stop the clashes.
