Sudanese army claims killing 30 paramilitary gunmen in clashes between warring parties

ANKARA

The Sudanese army claimed on Monday that it killed some 30 paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) gunmen as a result of fierce clashes that erupted between the warring parties in the North African country.

Sudanese army and its rival RSF clashed in the capital Khartoum, and Al-Fasher city in the North Darfur state, western Sudan.

According to a local committee in Al-Fasher, the RSF's intensified shelling on the city left at least five people killed and others injured as a shell hit a livestock market in the city.

A statement by the Sudanese army claimed to have thwarted an attempt by the RSF to bring "lethal weapons," including drones into Al-Fasher​​​​​​​ from the nearby Nyala city.

The Sudanese army said it killed some 30 RSF gunmen, arrested others, and seized quantities of weapons during the attack.

The RSF is yet to comment on the Sudanese army statement.

Meanwhile, local sources reported that both the Sudanese army and RSF exchanged heavy artillery shelling on the neighborhoods of Omdurman city, western Khartoum.

The Sudanese army attacked the RSF positions in Bahri city, northern Khartoum, the sources added.

Yet, no figures about casualties have been reported from the attacks in Khartoum.

Since mid-April last year, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF have been engaged in a conflict that has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and displaced nearly 10 million people, according to the UN.

There have been growing calls from the UN and international bodies to end the conflict, as the war has pushed millions of Sudanese to the brink of famine and death due to food shortages, with the fighting spreading to 13 of Sudan's 18 states.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar