Fighting continues in Sudan despite truce extension

Fighting continues in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum despite rival factions' agreement on Thursday to extend a ceasefire for 72 hours, raising concerns over intense violence in coming days.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Thursday reiterated it would extend the truce and said it would honor it unilaterally.

In response to the army for the first time, the Rapid Support Force (RSF) said on Thursday it too approved another 72-hour truce starting Friday.

The United Nations, the African Union, African trade bloc IGAD and the so-called quad countries of the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and UAE, welcomed the development.

"We also welcome their readiness to engage in dialogue toward establishing a more durable cessation of hostilities and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access," they said in a joint statement.

The SAF claimed it controls most of Sudan's regions and is defeating a large RSF deployment in Khartoum, where some residential areas have turned into war zones.

Despite the truce, sounds of Sudanese fighter jets, air strikes and anti-aircraft fire were heard as they targeted paramilitary positions in Khartoum, according to witnesses.

Residents of Omdurman, Khartoum’s neighboring twin city, described “the worst day” yet as neighborhoods were pummeled by repeated airstrikes.

So far, at least 512 people have been killed and close to 4,200 wounded by the fighting since 15 April, according to the Sudanese health ministry.

According to experts, the situation in Sudan could worsen at any moment, with intense violence in the days to come.

SS