Sudan’s citizens have been caught in crossfire after a power struggle suddenly erupted just as the country was transitioning to democracy.
A main paramilitary group claims to have seized control of the army chief’s residence and the presidential palace in an apparent coup.
The group, known as Rapid Support Forces, also claims to have taken Khartoum’s international airport and airports in two other cities.
A Saudi Arabian airline said one of its passenger planes had come under fire while preparing to take off in Khartoum, and flights were grounded.
At least three people have died since the clashes broke out while residents were going about their daily lives.
Democracy derailed?
As Sudan appeared to be descending into chaos the situation on the ground was unclear, with both sides claiming they had control of the same sites.
A major confrontation could derail efforts to move towards elections.
The clashes follow rising tensions over the details of the transition to civilian rule.
The army and the RSF are at odds over the integration of the militia group into the military and who should oversee the process.
The disagreement has delayed the signing of an internationally backed agreement with political parties on a transition to democracy.
On Saturday, the RSF accused the army of carrying out a plot by loyalists of former strongman President Omar Hassan al-Bashir — who was ousted in 2019 — and attempting a coup itself.
The RSF is headed by former militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.
He has been deputy leader of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council headed by army General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since 2019.
The army said the Sudanese air force was conducting operations against the RSF.
Footage from broadcasters showed a military aircraft in the sky above Khartoum, but Reuters could not independently confirm the material.
Gunfire could be heard in several parts of Khartoum and eyewitnesses reporting shooting in adjoining cities.
A Reuters journalist saw cannon and armoured vehicles deployed in the streets of the capital and heard heavy weapons fire near the headquarters of both the army and RSF.
Clashes were also taking place at the headquarters of Sudan’s state TV, said an anchor who appeared on screen.
The Sudanese armed forces spokesman told the Al Jazeera Mubasher television station that the army would respond to any “irresponsible” actions, as its forces clashed with the RSF in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.
Brigadier-General Nabil Abdallah said there was a heavy presence of RSF troops at the TV headquarters in Khartoum.
Eyewitnesses reported gunfire in many other parts of the country outside the capital. Those included heavy exchanges of gunfire in Merowe, eyewitnesses told Reuters.
International powers — the US, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Nations and the European Union — all called for an end to the hostilities.
