The spokesperson for the Sudanese army, Nabil Abdullah, stated that "our forces are cohesive and at their best, performing their duties with high morale and will resolve the situation soon." He announced that "some buildings belonging to the General Command were targeted in an attempt to disrupt efforts." He added, "We have not called for citizens to evacuate their homes and we urge them to remain calm and stay inside."
Khalid Omar Youssef, spokesperson for the political process in Sudan, expressed hope that the leaders of the army and the Rapid Support Forces would respond to calls for a ceasefire, considering that it "will tear Sudan apart and undermine its unity and sovereignty." The Sudanese armed forces revealed that they have taken control of a Rapid Support Forces camp in the Al-Shajarah neighborhood in the Egyptian area of Khartoum.
The Rapid Support Forces announced via Twitter their control over the headquarters of the 16th Infantry Division in Nyala after fierce battles. The Rapid Support Forces published a video showing the downing of a military helicopter near the Kober Bridge in the Bahri area.
Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok stated that the humanitarian situation in Sudan is catastrophic and asserted that "there is no option but peace," calling for an "immediate ceasefire and rapid understanding" while rejecting "any foreign interference in Sudanese affairs." He urged Arab and African countries "to support the Sudanese people who are going through extremely difficult humanitarian conditions."
The United Nations disclosed that "the commander of the Sudanese army and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces agreed to the UN proposal for a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons." The spokesperson for the armed forces stated that "the Sudanese armed forces agree to the UN proposal to open safe passages for humanitarian cases for a duration of three hours." He added that "the opening will begin at 4 PM today, without waiving their right to respond in the event of any violations by the rebellious militia."
The Rapid Support Forces, on their official Twitter account, announced: "The Rapid Support Forces appeal to the esteemed citizens that, within the framework of the UN request and the forces' desire to facilitate a part of people's lives, announce the opening of safe passages for humanitarian cases starting now for a duration of four hours," while reserving their right to protect citizens and respond to any attacks from the coup plotters and the regime's militias.
Official Sudanese television has stopped broadcasting. Journalists from Reuters in Khartoum and other countries reported that the broadcast of the official Sudanese television was interrupted, but the reason for this is not yet clear. The interruption occurred amid ongoing fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The Bloody Struggle in Khartoum
Witnesses reported that the Sudanese army appeared to have the upper hand on Sunday in a bloody power struggle with the Rapid Support Forces after targeting their bases with airstrikes, resulting in at least 59 civilian deaths, including three UN staff members. Witnesses and residents told Reuters that the army conducted airstrikes on barracks and bases belonging to the Rapid Support Forces, some in the city of Omdurman, and managed to destroy most of their facilities.
They added that the army regained control over a large part of the presidential palace in Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces, with each side claiming control over the site as well as other important facilities in the city, which is still witnessing heavy artillery and gunfire clashes up until Sunday. Witnesses indicated that members of the Rapid Support Forces are still inside Khartoum International Airport, which is besieged by the army, which refrains from launching strikes to avoid significant damage.
The army, in a statement on Sunday, said, "The hour of victory is near." The statement concluded, "We mourn the innocent lives lost due to this reckless adventure committed by the rebellious Rapid Support Forces, and our thoughts are with the injured, and we assure our patient and noble people of good news soon, God willing."
