The ongoing conflict in Sudan has escalated once again, with paramilitary forces reportedly opening fire on a Turkish evacuation plane as it was landing at Wadi Saeedna airbase in Khartoum on Friday. The attack caused damage to the fuel supply but the plane managed to land safely, with no reported injuries. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been accused of carrying out the attack, denied responsibility and accused the army of spreading lies. This latest incident adds to the sense of desperation for thousands of civilians still trapped in the conflict zone, who are trying to board the last evacuation planes out of the capital before the fragile 72-hour ceasefire ends.
The conflict has been ongoing since April 15 and has resulted in at least 512 deaths and nearly 4,200 injuries. A humanitarian crisis has also emerged, with many civilians in urgent need of aid. The situation has been characterized by persistent ceasefire violations, heavy gunfire, and explosions, particularly in the capital region where most of the violence has occurred.
The latest attack on the Turkish plane has heightened fears over the safety of those still trapped in Sudan. Despite this, there is currently no indication that evacuation flights will be stopped. The situation remains volatile, however, with heavy explosions and gunfire continuing to rock parts of the capital, including the adjacent city of Bahri.
For those civilians who remain in the conflict zone, the situation is dire. One resident of Bahri described the sounds of planes and explosions as “scary” and stated that they had no idea when the violence would end. The renewed threat of violence at the airstrip has made the situation even more desperate for those trying to evacuate.
The conflict in Sudan is complex and has multiple factors at play. It is thought to have been sparked by a dispute between Sudan’s military leaders and civilian protestors who were calling for democratic reforms. The situation has been exacerbated by longstanding tensions between different ethnic and religious groups in the country.
As the conflict continues to escalate, there are growing concerns about the impact on civilians, particularly those who are trapped in the conflict zone. The international community has called for an end to the violence and for efforts to be made to ensure that aid can reach those in need. However, with the situation showing no signs of easing, it is unclear what the future holds for Sudan and its people.