US President Joe Biden called the violence a betrayal of the Sudanese people’s demands for civilian government and said the US stood ready to offer humanitarian aid “when the situation allows”.
Shelling and clashes were heard in Khartoum and the surrounding towns of Omdurman and Bahri on Thursday in violation of the latest, seven-day, ceasefire agreement. The army was trying to push the RSF from positions around the presidential palace and military headquarters.
Al-Sadiq Ahmed, a 49-year-old engineer from Khartoum, said, “There have been sounds of airstrikes and clashes since yesterday evening and this morning.”
“We are in a state of perpetual terror as the fighting centers around residential neighborhoods. We don’t know when this nightmare and fear will end.
Meanwhile, the United Nations pressured the warring factions to guarantee safe passage of aid after six trucks were looted.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said he expected to have face-to-face meetings with both sides within two to three days to secure guarantees from them for the aid convoys.
The World Food Program (WFP) estimated on Thursday that $13 million to $14 million worth of food meant to be sent to people in need in Sudan has been looted so far.
The UN says nearly a million people have fled Sudan to neighboring countries with little food or water.
The use of explosive weapons including tanks, cannons, rockets and airstrikes on populated areas by the warring sides has increased the toll of civilians, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday, accusing them of a reckless disregard for civilian life.
