Sudan: Fighting erupts in Khartoum as army and paramilitary force clash

Hello MEE readers.

Gunfire and explosions have been heard in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, after days of tension between the country's army and a notorious paramilitary force.

Columns of smoke emanated from various places in the city and soldiers were deployed on the streets. Civilians were seen running for cover as artillery exchanges and heavy gunfire could be heard.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said its forces were able to take control of Khartoum airport on Saturday and a military base in Merowe, in response to alleged army attacks on its bases.

Middle East Eye could not independently verify the RSF’s claims.

For its part, the army has said that RSF fighters are trying to seize the military headquarters.

The tensions stem from a disagreement over how the RSF should be integrated into the military and what authority should oversee the process.

The merger is a key condition of Sudan’s unsigned transition agreement.

Stay with Middle East Eye's live blog for all the latest details. And for those catching up, here's a story with the latest:

Sudan: Explosions and heavy gunfire heard in Khartoum