Gunfire continues in Sudan’s capital despite 72-hour ceasefire agreement

Sudan's army and its adversary, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, both said they agreed to a three-day truce to enable people to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Heavy firing rang out in Khartoum on Friday after Sudan’s army declared a truce, a Reuters witness said, dealing the latest blow to international attempts to try to end almost a week of fighting between army troops and a rival force.

The source of firing was unclear, the witness said, adding air strikes were also heard from time to time.

The army said it agreed to a three-day truce to enable people to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Its adversary, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), said earlier in the day it had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire, also to mark Eid.

“The armed forces hope that the rebels will abide by all the requirements of the truce and stop any military moves that would obstruct it,” an army statement said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the combatants to abide by the truce, and said Sudan’s military and civilian leadership must urgently start negotiations on a sustainable ceasefire to prevent further damage to the country.

The army’s evening announcement followed another day of hostilities in Khartoum and the army’s first deployment on foot in the city since the fighting began on Saturday.

Soldiers and gunmen from the RSF shot at each other all day in neighborhoods across the city, including during the call for special early morning Eid prayers, with gunfire punctuated by the thud of artillery and air strikes.

Drone footage showed several plumes of smoke across Khartoum and its Nile sister cities, together one of Africa’s biggest urban areas.