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Fierce fighting in North African Sudan, looting in the capital Khartoum

  • International
  • Lead News
  • 06 June, 2023 11:15:16

Photo: Collected

International desk: In the North African country of Sudan, the conflict between the military and the country's paramilitary forces has intensified in the capital Khartoum. There are reports of shelling and heavy clashes. Apart from this, looting and anarchy have also spread in other areas including the capital Khartoum due to this fight which has been going on for eight weeks. Reuters reported this information in a report on Tuesday (June 6). Residents reported shelling and heavy clashes in the Sudanese capital on Monday, reports said. There have also been reports of looting and lawlessness in Khartoum and western Darfur after more than seven weeks of fighting between rival military factions.

According to Reuters, the two warring sides had previously agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States. But fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has intensified since that deal expired last Saturday night. The war, which began on April 15, has displaced more than 1.2 million people within Sudan. Besides, about 400,000 people have fled to neighboring countries. On the other hand, the capital Khartoum also suffered heavy damage. The city's remaining residents are at risk of war, airstrikes and looting.

Residents on Monday reported a second straight day of fighting across the country's capital Khartoum and the neighboring towns of Omdurman and Bahri, Reuters said. They said there were ground clashes as well as shelling in Omdurman and heavy fighting in eastern Khartoum and the southern edge of the capital. Mohammad Saleh, a 37-year-old resident, said, "There is open looting every day around where we live in Omdurman and no one is intervening to stop it. In addition, clashes and shelling continue around us. Walid Adam, a resident of Khartoum, said RSF troops have spread around the capital and are in complete control of eastern Khartoum.

And they are the ones who are looting there, he said. "You can see them right in front of you," he told Reuters by phone. They are taking cars, money, gold - whatever they can get their hands on. I think they will come to my front street and it is only a matter of time. RSF says it is working to arrest looters and protect civilians. Meanwhile, the ongoing war has also created unrest in the Darfur region of Sudan's far west. The region has already suffered massive displacement due to past conflicts, and residents of several towns and cities have reported attacks by militias linked to Arab nomadic tribes.

At least 40 people have been killed and dozens wounded in Kutum in North Darfur province in recent days, according to workers monitoring the region, according to Reuters. Residents also reported rampant looting and insecurity in these areas. The RSF has a power base in Darfur and released a video on Monday. In the video, RSF fighters are seen occupying the army headquarters in Kutum. However, there was no immediate comment from the army.

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