KHARTOUM: The Sudanese Ministry of Health said on Friday that over 400 people were killed and about 3,500 others wounded in the continued clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), reported Xinhua.
“The death toll on Friday reached more than 400 with about 3,500 wounded,” Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said in a statement.
“Most of the cases were in Khartoum, where 130 deaths and 1,900 injuries were recorded,” he said.
He pointed out that the number of deaths and injuries dropped on Friday compared to past days, with 59 deaths and 200 injuries recorded.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.
Meanwhile, RSF declared its readiness Friday to open airports throughout the country.
“In accordance with the 72 hours truce announced by the RSF this Friday, we are ready to partially open the entire airports in the country … to enable the friendly countries to evacuate its nationals,” it said in a statement as reported by Anadolu.
The military and the RSF exchanged accusations Friday of violating the cease-fire.
The RSF said despite the truce, the SAF has insisted on sending reinforcements from bases in Damazine in the Blue Nile state.
The SAF accused the RSF of violating the cease-fire in various locations.
“Despite the SAF accepting the ceasefire for 72 hours the enemy has violated it as they attacked one of the bases of our air forces, they attacked some police stations, randomly shooting around the army headquarters, using civilians as shields in some neighbourhoods and use high buildings for snipping,” according to the SAF.
Anadolu reported aggressive fighting taking place during the day around one of the RSF bases in southern Khartoum as the two sides exchange gunfire using tanks and military vehicles.
The SAF and the RSF declared a 72-hour cease-fire after demands by the international community and mediators, including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UN, African Union, the International Government Authority on Development bloc and the Arab League. – BERNAMA-AGENCIES
