Global Courant 2023-04-18 09:55:30
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed an attack on a US diplomatic convoy in Sudan amid ongoing violence in the region.
“Yesterday we had an American diplomatic convoy fired upon,” says Blinken, who is currently in Japan. “All people are safe.”
He called the attack “reckless, irresponsible and unsafe”, and said it is under investigation.
Since heavy fighting broke out in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on Saturday, at least 97 civilians have been killed in the crossfire and 365 others injured, according to a statement released Monday morning by the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, a pro-democracy group that oversees stop victims. The group noted that there were “a number of injuries and deaths that have not been counted” as some “hospitals were inaccessible due to the difficult mobility and security situation in the country”.
“Severe damage has been identified” at several hospitals in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities, and some facilities are now “completely out of service” following bombings, according to the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, which called the issue “a clear violation of international humanitarian rules.” . law.”
As violence has spread from Khartoum to other parts of Sudan, “the heaviest concentration of fighting” is taking place in the populous capital, according to the World Health Organization, the United Nations’ global health department.
The clashes are the culmination of weeks of tensions between General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese armed forces, and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces, a Sudanese paramilitary group. So far neither has shown any indication to pull out. The two men were once allies who together orchestrated a military coup in 2021 that dissolved Sudan’s power-sharing government and derailed the short-lived transition to democracy following the ousting of a longtime dictator in 2019.
Flashing tweeted late Monday, “Speaking to both Sudanese Armed Forces Commander (General Abdel Fattah al) Burhan and Rapid Support Forces Commander (Mohamed Hamdan) Dagalo, I underlined the urgent need for a ceasefire. There are already too many civilian lives have been lost. Emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel and aid workers.”
The White House on Monday called for de-escalation and an “immediate unconditional ceasefire” in Sudan.
“This dangerous escalation jeopardizes progress made to date in negotiations to restore Sudan’s democratic transition and undermines the aspirations of the Sudanese people,” said White House spokesman John Kirby.
Kirby said the military leadership is responsible for protecting civilians, non-combatants and people from third countries, including US diplomatic personnel.
“We have been in direct contact with both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, SAF and RSF respectively, urging them to immediately cease hostilities without preconditions. And we are consulting very closely with regional and other partners about the situation there in Sudan,” Kirby added.
He urged U.S. citizens in Sudan to “treat this situation with the utmost seriousness.”
Tom Soufi Burridge, Morgan Winsor, Justin Gomez and Will Gretsky of ABC News contributed to this report.
This is an evolving story. Check back later for updates.
