A convoy from the US embassy in Sudan was hit by a “reckless” and “irresponsible” attack, the US secretary of state said.
After Monday’s incident, Antony Blinken telephoned the paramilitary leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and of Sudan army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to warn them that any danger posed to American diplomats was unacceptable.
People in the diplomatic convoy are safe, Blinken said, adding, “We naturally have deep concerns about the overall security environment as it affects civilians, as it affects diplomats, as it affects aid workers.”
Fighting in Sudan has killed at least 185 people and injured more than 1,800 as both sides claimed gains in a conflict that has seen the use of airstrikes and artillery.
Clashes continued despite numerous calls from the United States and other countries for a cessation of fighting, as well as efforts by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to get their rivals to agree to a ceasefire.
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Missiles and violence in Sudan
Tensions had risen between the army chief, General al Burhan, and the RSF head, General Dagalo. A pact of power between the two parties has now broken and the resulting violence has been seen again of Sudan civilians caught in the crossfire.
Their deadly struggle for control derailed the transition to civilian rule and raised fears of wider conflict.
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Why has violence erupted in Sudan?
Dramatic before and after images show the impact of deadly clashes
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Sudanese army chief open to negotiations
Although the army is larger and has air power, the RSF is widely deployed within the neighborhoods of Khartoum and other cities, giving neither faction the advantage for a quick victory.
Speaking to Sky News, General al Burhan said yes open to negotiations while the fighting continues.
“If the negotiations restore the country and are fair, then it is possible,” he added.
General al Burhan heads a government council set up after a 2021 coup and the ousting of veteran leader Omar Bashir in 2019 amid mass protests.
Khartoum is a city unaccustomed to violence, but smoke hung over the capital on Monday as residents reported a clamor of airstrikes, artillery shelling and shootings that shut down hospitals.
The conflict in the capital and adjacent twin cities of Omdurman and Bahri since Saturday is the worst in decades.
The fighting has also spread to the war-torn West Darfur region and areas of northern and eastern Sudan, near the borders with Egypt and Ethiopia.
