Explosions rock Sudan capital amid tension over transition to civilian rule

Heavy gunfire and explosion have been heard in Khartoum,
Sudan’s capital, following days of tension between the army and the Rapid
Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group.

The tension between the army and RSF escalated on Thursday
after the RSF moved some of its forces near a military airport.

Sudan’s army said the move was without its consent.

On Saturday, shooting was heard in the base of Sudan’s army
headquarters and the defence ministry in central Khartoum, Al-Jazeera reports.

Smoke plumes rising from various parts of the city were seen
while soldiers were deployed on the streets to rein the chaos.

“The Rapid Support Forces were surprised on Saturday with a
large force from the army entering camps in Soba in Khartoum and laying siege
to paramilitaries there,” the RSF said.

RSF added that the army “launched a sweeping attack with all
kinds of heavy and light weapons”.

The army accused RSF fighters of trying to seize the
military headquarters.

“Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces attacked several
army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan,” Nabil Abdallah, army
spokesman, said.

“Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty
to safeguard the country.”

There are disagreements over how the RSF should be
integrated into the military and what authority should oversee the process.

The move is part of Sudan’s transition to a civilian-led
government.