DUBAI – Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) alleged in a tweet on Sunday that they were assaulted by planes while evacuating French nationals from their embassy.
One French national was hurt in the incident, which the Sudanese army claims was the consequence of an RSF attack, which they deny.
“This morning, 4/23/2023, the Rapid Support Forces were attacked by aircraft during the evacuation of French nationals from their country’s embassy, passing through Bahri to Omdurman,” the tweet says, adding, “which endangered the lives of French nationals by injuring one of them.”
“The Rapid Support Forces indicate that, in full coordination with the French government, the evacuation convoy of French nationals moved this morning from their gathering places at the French embassy and crossed the city of Bahri to Omdurman.”
“This flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law, as well as the declared truce, was witnessed and attended by members of the French embassy, who documented the incident,” according to the tweet.
“In the face of this cowardly attack, and to ensure the safety of French nationals, the Rapid Support Forces were forced to return the convoy to its original starting point.”
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
قيادة قوات الدعم السريع
نشرة اخبارية 23-4-2023
تعرضت قوات الدعم السريع صباح اليوم 23/4/2023 الى هجوم بالطيران اثناء اجلاء رعايا فرنسين من من سفارة بلادهم مرورًا ببحري الى امدرمان مما عرض حياة الرعايا الفرنسين للخطر بإصابة احدهم ونجاة بقية الرعايا .… pic.twitter.com/w2Lz2XBHbj
“The Rapid Support Forces reaffirm their full commitment to the declared armistice and the opening of humanitarian corridors to enable citizens to obtain necessary services, as well as to facilitate the movement of foreign nationals to evacuation areas designated by their governments.”
As the conflict persisted, many countries began evacuating civilians from the country, notably Saudi Arabia, which airlifted out 66 foreign nationals as well as roughly 100 of its own citizens.
According to AFP, a French diplomatic source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Sudanese armed forces and its adversaries, the RSF paramilitary group, had “given guarantees of security” to facilitate the operation.
Both sides accuse the other of violating an Eid truce.
Sudan’s army head, AbdelFattah al-Burhan, called for discussion on Saturday to halt the country’s violent hostilities.
In an interview with Al Arabiya TV, al-Burhan stated, “The Sudanese people are the biggest losers in this war.” As Sudanese, we must all sit down and figure out how to restore hope and life.”
“Living conditions in Sudan are deteriorating,” he added, “and we share the international community’s concern for Sudanese citizens.”
According to the World Health Organization, battle between the army and the RSF began a week ago in Sudan, killing hundreds and injuring thousands more.
Earlier on Saturday, al-Burhan stated that the army was coordinating with countries to assist in the evacuation of foreign nationals, as sporadic gunfire and air strikes resonated across Khartoum, despite agreements by warring parties to cease firing for three days during the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations.
