Street fighting spreads under Khartoum's smoke-filled skies

U.S. military prepare for evacuations

The U.S. military is preparing as many options as possible ahead of a possible evacuation from the U.S. embassy in Sudan but no decisions have been made, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday.

"We've deployed some forces into theater to ensure that we provide as many options as possible if we are called on to do something. And we haven't been called on to do anything yet," Austin told a news conference at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. "No decision on anything has been made."

Reporting by Reuters

Havoc in Medani

Eyewitnesses are reporting an influx of RSF fighters into Medani - the very city Khartoum residents had fled to, escaping the scenes in the capital. 

Having been pushed back by the Sudanese Army, militiamen are reportedly causing havoc along the main road of Medani - further endangering civilian life.

RSF troops that were pushed out of southern khartoum are causing havoc on Medani Rd. Reports that they are reaching Medani, the city that has received an exodous of people fleeing the violence in khartoum #Sudan_Updates

— Nubian Nomad (@nubianomad) April 21, 2023

Aid workers killed

The number of humanitarian workers caught in the crossfire is rising as the fighting spreads. 

The United Nations migration agency said that a staff member had been killed in fighting in southern Sudan on Friday when his vehicle was caught in crossfire.

The humanitarian worker with the International Organization for Migration is the fourth UN member of staff killed since fighting erupted in Sudan on Saturday.

It is with a heavy heart I confirm the death of a valued IOM Sudan staff member today after his vehicle was caught in a crossfire south of El Obeid.
IOM mourns this tragedy, reiterates the call for an end to the violence and demands civilians be protected. https://t.co/Ovn3P9Ictt

— António Vitorino (@IOMchief) April 21, 2023

Three employees of the World Food Programme (WFP) were killed in the North Darfur region of eastern Sudan.

Sudan relies on international organisations to provide basic services across much of the country - including healthcare and food distribution. 

Mercenaries and forced recruitments

Details are emerging over the involvement of mercenaries - including the notorious Wagner group - in the current fighting. 

Sudanese experts are warning that South Sudanese citizens are also at risk of forced recruitment to bolster troop numbers in the spreading fight. 

While the int'l press focuses on reports of support to RSF from Haftar & Wagner, @dekuekd highlights in this🧵 the prospect of SAF forcibly recruiting South Sudanese in Kht to fight, and possibly calling militia in SS to join: https://t.co/mmSDSCoHM4

— Lauren Blanchard (@LaurenBinDC) April 21, 2023

Eid celebrations surrounded by violence 

Despite the ongoing conflict, Khartoum residents are still attending Eid al-Fitr prayers across the capital. 

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed correspondent Abdelhameed Awad has the full story here:

Evacuations begin

Several governments are making preparations to evacuate their citizens from Sudan as the situation continues to deteriorate. 

Spanish military aircraft are on standby and ready to evacuate some 60 Spanish nationals and about 20 civilians from other countries from Sudan's capital Khartoum amid armed conflict there, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Friday.

Germany is pushing for both sides to agree a ceasefire for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr so people can be evacuated, said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin today. 

A reliable ceasefire, however, still appears to be a long way off. 

Sudanese army speaks of 'cleansing' 

The army has began the process of "cleansing" the streets of Sudan of "rebellious rebel groups," showing no signs of reconciliation. 

"We have broken their challenge and seen off the challenge, and we are moving to gradually cleanse the capital of pockets of armed rebellion," said the statement published today. 

Residents flee the city

More and more civilians in Khartoum are risking gunfire on the streets and trying to find any way to leave the city. 

Some are sharing advice in real time on Twitter for others to use bus services to reach more peaceful regions of Sudan. 

For those wanting to head to Medani you go to the main bus stop on Siteen with Madani Road and find transport there. Ticket prices are hefty so have cash. https://t.co/sUMFfV3caB

— dalliasd (@dalliasd) April 21, 2023

Death toll rises to 413

413 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since fighting began this week, according to figures just released by the World Health Organisation.

A further 3551 have been injured, and are now at the mercy of Sudan's broken healthcare system.  

'Overwhelmed': harrowing hospital account of Sudan conflict

Children hit by bullets and patients treated in corridors: one of the first accounts from medics since fighting erupted in Sudan provides a harrowing report of the conflict's "catastrophic" impact.

The testimony, provided by Cyrus Paye, who works for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the war-ravaged western Darfur region, paints a terrifying picture of the violence that erupted across the country at the weekend.

"The majority of the wounded are civilians who were hit by stray bullets, and many of them are children," Paye said, MSF project coordinator in South Hospital in El Fasher, state capital of North Darfur.

"They have fractures caused by bullets, or they have gunshot wounds or shrapnel in their legs, their abdomen or their chest. Many need blood transfusions."

Over 400 people have been killed and 3,500 wounded countrywide, the World Health Organization said Friday, but MSF said that in just the one hospital they work in 279 wounded have been treated. Of those, 44 have died.

Burhan swears to emerge stronger 

Sudanese general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has sworn that Sudan will emerge "stronger and more united than ever'" from its current "misfortune" today.

Burhan made the comments during his pre-recorded Eid address that was broadcast on Friday morning. 

"The sound of bullets and destruction have left no place for the celebration that our people deserve this holy day," said the general. 

Yesterday the general said he sees 'no room for talks' with militia leaders such as Hemedti, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces. 

Fleeing to the borders:

Both civilians and fighters have been trying to make it to safety outside of Sudan, fleeing to Chad and other neighbouring countries despite danger on the streets of Khartoum and beyond. Read the full story here: 

The background

Here is a recap of the context to Sudan's latest outbreak of violence, written by Ali Abbas Ahmadi: 

Both sides implicated

Khartoum residents are continuing to report horrific acts of violence committed by members of both the RSF and Sudan's army under the command of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. 

Let me rephrase: Just because many of us are reporting violence, killings and home invasions/ occupations by the RSF doesn’t mean the SAF hasn’t been violent/destructive. There are no sides here just 2 war criminals unleashing their murderous way. #Sudan_updates

— Nisrin Elamin (@minlayla77) April 21, 2023