The sound of intermittent shelling echoed across the capital of Sudan, Khartoum, on Saturday, despite a ceasefire declared by both warring sides. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are engaged in combat against the Sudanese army, stated they were ready to allow the reopening of airports to evacuate foreign nationals.
On the eighth day of fighting in Sudan, devastating scenes emerged from Bahri Market and other city landmarks, as food and medical supply warehouses were destroyed. While the world is focused on rescuing its nationals from the black death box represented by the blind conflict between the two sides: the Sudanese army and the RSF, Sudanese citizens voiced cries for help from a war that brings them nothing but further destruction, losses, poverty, and darkness. As the second week began, clashes continued in areas around East Nile and the broadcast station in Omdurman.
**Al-Burhan: I Have No Connection to the Previous Regime**
Sudanese Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan noted that "support groups use civilians as human shields, evacuate hospitals, and convert them into military bases," adding that they are currently deployed within residential neighborhoods. Al-Burhan explained that "all airports are under the control of the army, except for Khartoum and Nyala airports for now," affirming that "the army is wholly a pure national Sudanese force and not under anyone's authority." He stated, "I am currently in the command center, and I will not leave it except on a stretcher, and no one can predict when and how this war will end." In response to RSF leader Hemeti, Al-Burhan declared that "his statements are blatant lies," saying: "I have no connection to the previous regime, and his claims are meant to incite discord and enmity with neighbors." He indicated that "no one knows where Hemeti and his forces are," adding, "there is no confirmation yet about the Wagner Group supporting the RSF." Al-Burhan mentioned that "coordination with Chad is positive and ongoing to restrain any RSF affiliates." He also stated that "Libyan eastern forces' commander Khalifa Haftar called me, confirming that his support for the other side is unfounded."
**Hemeti: We Are Committed to Ceasefire During the Truce**
For his part, Hemeti affirmed his full commitment to ceasefire during the "truce period," emphasizing his "respect for international humanitarian law." He mentioned that he had agreed with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on essential matters that would have a direct impact on the overall situation in the country.
**Abdel Rahim Daglo**
The second-in-command of the RSF, Abdel Rahim Daglo, issued multiple messages on Saturday, stating, "Al-Burhan should go out and fight alongside the people instead of dragging him into war and hiding." He added, "We have called on Al-Burhan to stop lying to the Sudanese people, and we will take him, Kabbashi, and Yasser Al-Atta out of the 'bunker' where they are hiding."
The Sudanese Doctors' Syndicate considered that "the pressure to evacuate foreign nationals indicates the failure of calls for a ceasefire and the continuation of armed conflict," urging the international community to exert pressure on both sides to open safe corridors for transporting the wounded and corpses. Additionally, the syndicate revealed that "six ambulances were targeted and several crews were prevented from moving between conflict areas to transport patients."
**World Health Organization**
On Friday, the World Health Organization reported that 413 people had died and 3,551 had been injured since fighting erupted in Sudan six days ago. Among the deceased were at least five relief workers.
**Chad and Refugees**
The head of the UN World Food Programme in Chad, Pierre Honorat, predicted that more refugees would arrive from Sudan across the border, fleeing the fighting between the army and the semi-military RSF. Between 10,000 and 20,000 Sudanese have already crossed into Chad following a week of fighting in Khartoum and other areas of the country. Honorat stated that 400,000 Sudanese refugees, who fled during previous conflicts, are dispersed across 14 camps in the Chad border region, adding, "The World Food Programme is preparing to welcome at least 100,000. More are likely to come, so we must be prepared." He continued, "Most of those who arrived in recent days were women and children from border villages." He noted, "The number of children is astonishing. We were shocked to see such a large number of children crossing the border. Our hearts broke seeing women and children under trees. Some have suffered from violence, their homes burned, their villages destroyed, and their neighborhoods completely looted." Honorat concluded, "There is an urgent need to provide adequate drinking water in the arid desert region."
**US State Department**
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged fighters to adhere to the ceasefire, stating that "military and civilian leadership in Sudan must urgently begin negotiations for a durable ceasefire to prevent further damage."
**Saudi Arabia**
The Saudi Press Agency reported the arrival of Saudi citizens who were evacuated from the Republic of Sudan along with several nationals from brother and friendly countries, including diplomats and international officials. It clarified that "the number of evacuated citizens reached 91, while approximately 66 people evacuated from brother and friendly countries represented nationalities including Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Canada, and Burkina Faso. The Kingdom has provided all basic needs for foreign nationals to facilitate their departure to their home countries."
**Egyptian Foreign Ministry**
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced it was monitoring with relevant state agencies and Sudanese authorities the situation of the Egyptian community in Sudan, with the aim of preparing for evacuation operations. The ministry stated in a statement: "We are coordinating and monitoring around the clock with all relevant state agencies, the Sudanese authorities, the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum, and the Egyptian consulates in Port Sudan and Wadi Halfa regarding the situation of the Egyptian community in Sudan, in order to prepare for evacuation operations for those wishing to return as soon as favorable conditions arise." The ministry urged all Egyptians in Sudan to remain in their residences and avoid being in areas of tension and security breakdown, while urging them to stay calm and keep communication channels open with Egyptian diplomatic and consular representations in Sudan until evacuation advisories are issued.
**Lebanon**
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced that, in the context of monitoring the situation of Lebanese citizens in Sudan wishing to travel at their own risk to the Egyptian border, they hope to submit pictures of their passports to the Lebanese embassy in Cairo via WhatsApp. It advised against using "private vehicles to reach border centers, recommending public transport instead to ensure their safety." Additionally, Lebanese citizens wishing to travel by land were asked to determine the border point they plan to cross into Egypt, which alone is authorized to grant permits.
**Jordan**
For its part, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry announced the "initiation of a plan to evacuate Jordanian citizens present in Sudan, depending on the security situation."
**Iraq**
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ahmed Al-Sahaf, announced the successful evacuation of the Iraqi diplomatic staff from the embassy building in Khartoum in a qualitative operation, stating that the ministry is coordinating with brotherly countries for safe evacuation of the approximately 300 Iraqis in Sudan.
**Kuwait**
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry announced the arrival of Kuwaiti citizens stranded in Sudan to Jeddah in preparation for their transfer to Kuwait, thanking the Saudi authorities for providing all facilities for their transportation.
**Palestine**
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry announced that preparations for the evacuation of its nationals have begun, requesting from Khartoum the establishment of "a central crisis cell for this purpose."
**UK**
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chaired a governmental emergency response committee meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation in Sudan, attended by Defense Minister Ben Wallace. The British Foreign Office updated its recommendations regarding movements in Sudan, warning that "the responsibility for any decision to act during a ceasefire must be personal."
**Greece**
In this context, the Greek Foreign Minister discussed with the EU Foreign Policy Commissioner the coordination of evacuation operations for Greek citizens.
**Hungary**
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced the evacuation of "14 Hungarians and 48 others, mostly Americans and Italians, from Sudan to Egypt." He stated that Hungary "helped facilitate an international operation to evacuate foreign nationals from Sudan."
**Artillery Shelling**
Sudanese army spokesman Nabil Abdullah stated that "the army has quelled the rebellion and freed Sudan from the largest exploitative project in the country's history, but it is difficult to determine a specific timeframe for the end of the operation as we strive to eliminate the rebellion." He added that "life is gradually returning in the capital and other cities." A witness told Reuters that "artillery shelling continued late into the night in Khartoum but was less intense than earlier in the day." The Sudanese army and RSF both announced in separate statements that they agreed to a three-day ceasefire to allow the people of Sudan to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. The army's statement noted, "The armed forces hope the rebels will comply with all ceasefire requirements and cease any military movements that could obstruct it." Meanwhile, the RSF announced full control over military manufacturing, stating they are "taking stock of the seized equipment."
The RSF claimed it is prepared to partially open all airports in Sudan to allow foreign governments to evacuate their nationals, adding that they "will cooperate, coordinate, and provide all the facilities to ensure expats and missions can leave the country safely." Gunfire continued between army soldiers and RSF gunmen in the neighborhoods of the capital even during Eid prayers. The sound of gunfire persisted throughout the previous day, interrupted only by the noise of artillery and airstrikes.
**Food and Water Shortages**
The fighting is exacerbating the difficulties for residents to leave their homes and join the crowds departing from Khartoum. Mohammed Saber Turabi, a 27-year-old resident of Khartoum hoping to visit his parents 80 kilometers away for Eid, stated that every time he tried to leave home, clashes would erupt. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that "an increasing number of people are running out of food, water, and electricity, including those in Khartoum." The Sudanese army and RSF began a violent struggle for power at the beginning of the week. Hundreds have died thus far, and Sudan, which relies on food aid, is "on the brink of a humanitarian disaster," according to the UN.
