Sudan's capital, Khartoum, was hit by multiple airstrikes early Wednesday morning, despite attempts to introduce a 24-hour truce to halt four days of fighting between the army and a paramilitary group. The proposed cease-fire failed to hold, and targets in Khartoum, including the army headquarters, offices of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the densely populated Amarat area, were hit.
Residents of Amarat reported hearing three explosions in a row, causing their entire house to shake. Heavy fighting erupted in Sudan's capital and other cities on April 15, leaving over 180 people dead and at least 1,800 others injured. The violence has dashed hopes of a return to civilian rule following a 2021 coup and sparked fears of a full-blown civil war.
Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk consultancy firm, warns that with neither side willing to back down, the conflict is likely to be protracted and could draw in neighboring countries. The renewed fighting occurred despite attempts to introduce a 24-hour truce starting from 6 p.m. Sudan-time Tuesday. The army gave mixed signals over whether it would observe the initiative, with one official accusing the RSF of mobilizing while requesting the pause.
As a result of the ongoing violence, Japan's government announced on Wednesday that it's preparing to evacuate its nationals currently in Sudan. Around 60 Japanese, including embassy staff, are currently in Sudan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters in Tokyo about the government's decision to evacuate Japanese citizens.
The situation in Sudan remains volatile and uncertain, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, and there are calls for an immediate end to the violence to prevent further loss of life and a full-blown civil war.