More than 185 dead in Sudan as power struggle between rival generals tips toward civil war
Heavy fighting between rival generals vying for power in Sudan entered a fourth day Tuesday, leaving at least 185 people dead and more than 1,800 wounded in Khartoum, the capital, and elsewhere in the country, the United Nations says. Residents of Khartoum have been trapped in their houses or other shelter as Sudan's army, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, trades artillery and tank fire in densely populated urban areas with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.
The actual death toll "could be much higher because there are many bodies in the streets around central Khartoum that no one can reach because of the clashes," The Associated Press reports. Most of the hospitals in and around the capital are out of service. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that one of the factions, most likely the RSF, attacked a clearly marked U.S. diplomatic convoy, though everyone in the convoy was safe. The European Union ambassador to Sudan was attacked in his Khartoum residence.
Blinken, who spoke with both generals on Monday, joined a chorus of other countries and international organizations calling for a ceasefire before the conflict turns into a full-bore civil war or wider regional conflict. Among those calling for a cessation of hostilities are Egypt, which backs Sudan's military, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have close ties to the RSF.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Burhan and Hemedti — whose paramilitary grew out of the notorious Janjaweed militia that worked with Sudan's military to quash a rebellion in Darfur — were part of the military establishment that ousted longtime leader Omar al-Bashir amid a popular uprising in 2019. They then worked together in 2021 to topple the civilian leader chosen to replace al-Bashir, and ruled in a power-sharing agreement until Saturday. The current battle ostensibly stems from disagreements on how to integrate the RSF into the regular armed forces, as laid out in a December 2022 framework agreement aimed at reviving Sudan's tenuous transition to democratic civilian rule.
But Hemedti, with an estimated 70,000 to 150,000 fighters, has been building international ties with Russia, the Saudis, and the UAE, and his growing ambitions led to tensions with Burhan, The New York Times explains. "Both sides have bases across the country," Alan Boswell at the International Crisis Group tells the Financial Times. "Both see this fight in existential terms. This is a pure power struggle for who will control Sudan."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The rise of the celebrity chef tour
The Week Recommends Chefs and food writers are hosting sell-out live events around the world
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
'Thank you for your service'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Gisèle Pelicot: the case that horrified France
The Explainer Survivor has been praised for demanding a public trial of the dozens of men accused of raping her
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Iran and Israel: is all-out war inevitable?
Talking Points Tehran has vowed revenge for assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, but Gaza ceasefire could offer way out
By The Week UK Published
-
'Second only to a nuclear bomb' – the controversial arms Russia is using in Ukraine
The Explainer Thermobaric bombs 'capable of vaporising human bodies' have been used against Ukraine
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Who would fight Europe's war against Russia?
Today's Big Question Western armies are struggling to recruit and retain soldiers amid fears Moscow's war in Ukraine may spread across Europe
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?
Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
By The Week UK Published
-
The murky role of military contractors in war
The Explainer A civil case against US company has revived debate over the increasing use of private security firms in military operations
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Where has the Wagner Group gone?
Today's Big Question Kremlin takes control of Russian mercenaries after aborted mutiny and death of leadership
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published