Explosions and gunfire were heard around the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, on Saturday (April 15) as clashes were reported between the military led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary, shared several media reports and eyewitness accounts.&nbsp;

Hours later, in a statement, the RSF claimed that they had taken “full control” of the presidential palace and key areas. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Sudan has asked Indians in the country to “stay indoors”.&nbsp;

Warning to all Indians in Sudan&nbsp;

The Embassy of India in Khartoum, in a statement, in light of recent clashes and firings to take “utmost precautions, stay indoors, and stop venturing outside with immediate effect”. It added, “Please also stay calm and wait for updates.”&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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NOTICE TO ALL INDIANS 
 
IN VIEW OF REPORTED FIRINGS AND CLASHES, ALL INDIANS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE UTMOST PRECAUTIONS, STAY INDOORS AND STOP VENTURING OUTSIDE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. PLEASE ALSO STAY CALM AND WAIT FOR UPDATES.
— India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) <a href="https://twitter.com/EoI_Khartoum/status/1647161816919969793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Clashes and claims

The fighting comes after tensions escalated between the generals for months and years of political unrest after the October 2021 military coup. 
 
Sounds of explosions and gunfire were heard across the Sudanese capital amid clashes between the country’s army and the paramilitary RSF. Witnesses reported “confrontations” and loud explosions and gunfire near a base held by the RSF in south Khartoum, said a report by AFP, whose reporters heard gunfire near Khartoum airport as well in north Khartoum.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sudan-power-struggle-within-military-as-army-attacks-paramilitary-rsf-582761">Sudan: Power struggle within military as Army attacks Paramilitary RSF</a>

Subsequently, the RSF, which is headed by former militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, in a statement said that the army had entered their camps in south Khartoum and laid siege to paramilitary forces there.&nbsp;

“The Rapid Support Forces were surprised Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps in Soba in Khartoum and laying siege to paramilitaries there,” reported AFP. It added that the army had “launched a sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons.”&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Sudanese army said that the paramilitaries attacked “several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan,” spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah told AFP. He added, “Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country.” 
 
The clashes came as tensions between the military and RSF escalated in recent months, forcing a delay in the signing of deal with political parties to revive the democratic transition.

RSF claims to have seized the presidential palace and other key sites

Hours after the clashes broke out, the RSF claimed that they had taken control of the presidential palace, the residence of the army chief, Khartoum international airport, as well as airports in the northern city of Merowe and El-Obeid in the west. According to a Reuters journalist, cannons and armoured vehicles were deployed in the streets, and the sound of heavy weapons fire was heard near the headquarters of both the army and RSF.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-army-paramilitaries-clash-live-updates-rsf-claims-to-have-taken-full-control-of-khartoum-presidential-palace-582742">Sudan army, paramilitaries clash LIVE updates: Paramilitaries claim to have entered presidential palace in apparent coup attempt</a>

Escalating tensions&nbsp;

This comes after days of tensions between the army and the RSF which had sparked fears of a confrontation that would undermine long-running efforts to return Sudan to civilian rule after years of power struggles and military coups.

On Thursday, the army said that some of the recent movements in Merowe by the RSF were illegal and took place without coordination.&nbsp;

However, the paramilitaries said that the actions by the leadership of the armed forces and “some officers” were an attack on its forces with the intention of creating instability. Eyewitnesses told Reuters that there has been a heavy exchange of gunfire in Merowe, on Saturday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Explosions and gunfire were heard around the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, on Saturday (April 15) as clashes were reported between the military led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary, shared several media reports and eyewitness accounts.

Explosions and gunfire were heard around the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, on Saturday (April 15) as clashes were reported between the military led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary, shared several media reports and eyewitness accounts. Hours later, in a statement, the RSF claimed that they had taken “full control” of the presidential palace and key areas. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Sudan has asked Indians in the country to “stay indoors”. Warning to all Indians in Sudan The Embassy of India in Khartoum, in a statement, in light of recent clashes and firings to take “utmost precautions, stay indoors, and stop venturing outside with immediate effect”. It added, “Please also stay calm and wait for updates.” NOTICE TO ALL INDIANS IN VIEW OF REPORTED FIRINGS AND CLASHES, ALL INDIANS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE UTMOST PRECAUTIONS, STAY INDOORS AND STOP VENTURING OUTSIDE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. PLEASE ALSO STAY CALM AND WAIT FOR UPDATES. — India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 15, 2023 × Clashes and claims The fighting comes after tensions escalated between the generals for months and years of political unrest after the October 2021 military coup. Sounds of explosions and gunfire were heard across the Sudanese capital amid clashes between the country’s army and the paramilitary RSF. Witnesses reported “confrontations” and loud explosions and gunfire near a base held by the RSF in south Khartoum, said a report by AFP, whose reporters heard gunfire near Khartoum airport as well in north Khartoum. ALSO WATCH | Sudan: Power struggle within military as Army attacks Paramilitary RSF Subsequently, the RSF, which is headed by former militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, in a statement said that the army had entered their camps in south Khartoum and laid siege to paramilitary forces there. “The Rapid Support Forces were surprised Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps in Soba in Khartoum and laying siege to paramilitaries there,” reported AFP. It added that the army had “launched a sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons.” Meanwhile, the Sudanese army said that the paramilitaries attacked “several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan,” spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah told AFP. He added, “Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country.” The clashes came as tensions between the military and RSF escalated in recent months, forcing a delay in the signing of deal with political parties to revive the democratic transition. RSF claims to have seized the presidential palace and other key sites Hours after the clashes broke out, the RSF claimed that they had taken control of the presidential palace, the residence of the army chief, Khartoum international airport, as well as airports in the northern city of Merowe and El-Obeid in the west. According to a Reuters journalist, cannons and armoured vehicles were deployed in the streets, and the sound of heavy weapons fire was heard near the headquarters of both the army and RSF. ALSO READ | Sudan army, paramilitaries clash LIVE updates: Paramilitaries claim to have entered presidential palace in apparent coup attempt Escalating tensions This comes after days of tensions between the army and the RSF which had sparked fears of a confrontation that would undermine long-running efforts to return Sudan to civilian rule after years of power struggles and military coups. On Thursday, the army said that some of the recent movements in Merowe by the RSF were illegal and took place without coordination. However, the paramilitaries said that the actions by the leadership of the armed forces and “some officers” were an attack on its forces with the intention of creating instability. Eyewitnesses told Reuters that there has been a heavy exchange of gunfire in Merowe, on Saturday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indians in Sudan asked to ‘stay indoors’ amid clashes between paramilitary, army

Russia urged against outside interference in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-opposition-rejects-armys-offer-of-talks-death-toll-hits-101-224759">Sudan</a> on Thursday, saying it was important to bring about order in the crisis-hit country following a bloody crackdown on protesters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-relocates-staff-from-sudan-death-toll-rises-to-108-224799">At least 108 people have been killed in Sudan</a> since paramilitaries moved in on a long-running sit-in outside army headquarters on Monday, &nbsp;an opposition-linked doctors' committee says.

In April, the military ousted president Omar al-Bashir following months of protests against his authoritarian rule.&nbsp;

But thousands of protesters remained camped out in front of army headquarters calling for the generals to cede power to a civilian government.

"We are against outside interference, one cannot impose something on the Sudanese," Mikhail Bogdanov, deputy foreign minister, told reporters in Saint Petersburg.

He said Russia was in touch with all political forces in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-opposition-rejects-armys-offer-of-talks-death-toll-hits-101-224759">Sudan</a>, including the military and the opposition, calling for dialogue to resolve the crisis.

But Bogdanov also stressed the importance of "bringing about order" as well as the fight against extremists.

On Tuesday, China and Russia blocked a bid at the UN Security Council to condemn the killing of civilians in Sudan.

"The situation is rather complicated," Bogdanov said, quoted by Russian news agencies.

"We are in favour of all issues being solved within the framework of national dialogue, on the basis of consensus-based solutions."

He stressed the importance of a "transitional period which should end with elections."

Russia has been trying to expand its influence in Africa and said in January that it had sent "instructors" to Sudan, following reports of sightings of Russian-speaking soldiers in Khartoum.

The Central Committee for Sudanese Doctors said it holds the "militias" of the military council responsible for the deaths of the protesters.

Sudan's health ministry said "no more than 46" people died in the crackdown.

Russia urged against outside interference in Sudan on Thursday, saying it was important to bring about order in the crisis-hit country following a bloody crackdown on protesters.

Russia urged against outside interference in Sudan on Thursday, saying it was important to bring about order in the crisis-hit country following a bloody crackdown on protesters. At least 108 people have been killed in Sudan since paramilitaries moved in on a long-running sit-in outside army headquarters on Monday, an opposition-linked doctors' committee says. In April, the military ousted president Omar al-Bashir following months of protests against his authoritarian rule. But thousands of protesters remained camped out in front of army headquarters calling for the generals to cede power to a civilian government. "We are against outside interference, one cannot impose something on the Sudanese," Mikhail Bogdanov, deputy foreign minister, told reporters in Saint Petersburg. He said Russia was in touch with all political forces in Sudan, including the military and the opposition, calling for dialogue to resolve the crisis. But Bogdanov also stressed the importance of "bringing about order" as well as the fight against extremists. On Tuesday, China and Russia blocked a bid at the UN Security Council to condemn the killing of civilians in Sudan. "The situation is rather complicated," Bogdanov said, quoted by Russian news agencies. "We are in favour of all issues being solved within the framework of national dialogue, on the basis of consensus-based solutions." He stressed the importance of a "transitional period which should end with elections." Russia has been trying to expand its influence in Africa and said in January that it had sent "instructors" to Sudan, following reports of sightings of Russian-speaking soldiers in Khartoum. The Central Committee for Sudanese Doctors said it holds the "militias" of the military council responsible for the deaths of the protesters. Sudan's health ministry said "no more than 46" people died in the crackdown.

Russia says important to bring about order in Sudan

Iraqi forces thrust north from the Euphrates Valley into the desert on Saturday, opening up a new front in the drive to flush out fugitive Islamic State group fighters, a commander told AFP.

Islamic State has already been driven from all the towns it once held, but Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said he will not proclaim victory until the jihadists have been cleared from the western desert bordering Syria.

Troops and paramilitaries had advanced into the desert from the east and north on Thursday at the start of an offensive aimed at inflicting a final defeat on the jihadists.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-forces-launch-operation-to-clear-desert-bordering-syria-of-islamic-state-24909">Iraqi forces launch operation to clear desert bordering Syria of Islamic State</a>

On Saturday, troops and tribal militia pushed north from Al-Qaim and Rawa, two Euphrates Valley towns recaptured from Islamic State earlier this month, in a pincer movement against retreating Islamic State fighters, one of the operation&#39;s two commanders told AFP.

&quot;It&#39;s a matter of linking up with the forces advancing from Nineveh&quot; province in the north, the commander said, asking not to be identified.

&quot;The aim of the operation is to clear the desert right up to the Syrian border and hunt down the terrorists who fled into the desert from the towns that have been liberated.&quot;

The Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary force, which has played a key role in the offensive, said 100 villages and hamlets had already been cleared of Islamic State fighters.

&quot;The battle for the desert is very important because it&#39;s from there that Daesh fighters coming from Syria can attack our defence lines,&quot; said Hashed number two Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

In a video posted by the Hashed, Mohandis said the desert was &quot;the last region where Daesh still has a military presence.&quot;

He said operations against it were under away over an area of 27,000 square kilometres (10,400 square miles).

But he warned that their completion would not spell the end of Islamic State.

&quot;We must hunt them down in areas that have been liberated and we must arrest them before they slip back into urban areas,&quot; said Mohandis, who is widely regarded as the strongman of the Hashed, which is largely composed of Iran-backed Shiite militias.

&quot;We must remain in a state of alert,&quot; he added. &quot;Security will not be fully assured until we have complete control of the border with Syria.&quot;

At the peak of its power in 2014, Islamic State ruled some seven million people in a territory as large as Italy, encompassing large parts of Syria and nearly a third of Iraq.

It is now being flushed out of its last desert hideouts in Iraq at the same time as its final pockets of control in Syria face simultaneous operations by Russian-backed government forces and US-backed Kurdish-led fighters.

Troops and paramilitaries had advanced into the desert from the east and north on Thursday at the start of an offensive aimed at inflicting a final defeat on the jihadists

Iraqi forces thrust north from the Euphrates Valley into the desert on Saturday, opening up a new front in the drive to flush out fugitive Islamic State group fighters, a commander told AFP. Islamic State has already been driven from all the towns it once held, but Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said he will not proclaim victory until the jihadists have been cleared from the western desert bordering Syria. Troops and paramilitaries had advanced into the desert from the east and north on Thursday at the start of an offensive aimed at inflicting a final defeat on the jihadists. Also read: Iraqi forces launch operation to clear desert bordering Syria of Islamic State On Saturday, troops and tribal militia pushed north from Al-Qaim and Rawa, two Euphrates Valley towns recaptured from Islamic State earlier this month, in a pincer movement against retreating Islamic State fighters, one of the operation's two commanders told AFP. "It's a matter of linking up with the forces advancing from Nineveh" province in the north, the commander said, asking not to be identified. "The aim of the operation is to clear the desert right up to the Syrian border and hunt down the terrorists who fled into the desert from the towns that have been liberated." The Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitary force, which has played a key role in the offensive, said 100 villages and hamlets had already been cleared of Islamic State fighters. "The battle for the desert is very important because it's from there that Daesh fighters coming from Syria can attack our defence lines," said Hashed number two Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. In a video posted by the Hashed, Mohandis said the desert was "the last region where Daesh still has a military presence." He said operations against it were under away over an area of 27,000 square kilometres (10,400 square miles). But he warned that their completion would not spell the end of Islamic State. "We must hunt them down in areas that have been liberated and we must arrest them before they slip back into urban areas," said Mohandis, who is widely regarded as the strongman of the Hashed, which is largely composed of Iran-backed Shiite militias. "We must remain in a state of alert," he added. "Security will not be fully assured until we have complete control of the border with Syria." At the peak of its power in 2014, Islamic State ruled some seven million people in a territory as large as Italy, encompassing large parts of Syria and nearly a third of Iraq. It is now being flushed out of its last desert hideouts in Iraq at the same time as its final pockets of control in Syria face simultaneous operations by Russian-backed government forces and US-backed Kurdish-led fighters.

Iraq forces open new drive to flush out Islamic State

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