Sudan violence: Death toll up to 185, around 1,800 wounded

International

oi-Prakash KL

The death toll from fighting between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has increased to 200 and left about 1,800 people wounded, according to a report in AFP.

The fighting erupted between nation’s two top Generals, each backed by tens of thousands of heavily armed fighters, on Saturday which has left millions trapped in their homes or wherever they could find shelter.

Although the figures of death have not been officially revealed, Volker Perthes, head of the United Nations mission to Sudan, told the Security Council in a closed-door session that at least 185 people have died so far. “It’s a very fluid situation so it’s very difficult to say where the balance is shifting to,” Perthes told reporters after the meeting.

Despite regional and global calls for a ceasefire, the fighting in the capital could be prolonged, according to analysts. Top diplomats have come forward to broker peace between the warring Generals and the UN Security Council was set to discuss the crisis. Egypt, which backs Sudan’s military, and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which has built close ties with RSF in recent years, have urged the military Generals to stand down, the report added.

Sudan unrest: India sets up control room, issues fresh advisory

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the fighting while appealing the leaders to immediately cease hostilities. “I urge all those with influence over the situation to use it in the cause of peace; to support efforts to end the violence, restore order, and return to the path of transition,” he said. “The humanitarian situation in Sudan was already precarious and is now catastrophic.”

On Monday, the European Union’s Ambassador to Sudan was attacked in his home in Khartoum, the bloc’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said. However, he is “ok” as per a spokesperson after the assault. “Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law,” Borrell said.

The fighting is witnessing air strikes, artillery and heavy gunfire. Also, people are hit by power outages. The Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate said at least 12 out of 20 hospitals are “out of service” due to power issues in the capital. Four hospitals outside the city are shut.

Till recently, Sudan’s military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo were together and had toppled Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s government in 2019. However, differences between the two Generals came out in open during negotiations to integrate the RSF into the country’s military as part of plans to restore civilian rule, according to CNN.

India’s response

The Ministry of External Affairs has said that a control room has been set up to assist Indian citizens after the clashes broke out on Saturday. Also, it issued an advisory urging Indians not to venture out of their residences and stay calm.

On Sunday, the embassy said an Indian national died in Khartoum after sustaining bullet injuries. “Based on the latest inputs, the fighting has not Subsided on day two. We sincerely request all fellow Indians to continue stay where they are and not venture outside,” the mission said in its second advisory after violence broke out in Khartoum.

With inputs from agencies