Khartoum [Sudan], May 14: Khartoum residents have described fierce battles with fighters roving the streets and little sign Sudan's warring sides are respecting an agreement to protect civilians ahead of ceasefire talks due to resume in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Fighting has rocked Khartoum and adjoining areas as well as Geneina in the Darfur region since the warring army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary force agreed a "declaration of principles" on Thursday.
"It was much worse this morning compared to the past two days.
You could clearly hear the tanks and the RSF were patrolling the streets more than usual," Hani Ahmed, 28, told the Reuters news agency.
The conflict that broke out a month ago has killed hundreds of people, sent more than 200,000 into neighbouring states, displaced another 700,000 inside the country, and risks drawing in outside powers and destabilising the region.
"We only see the army in the sky but in terms of face-to-face contact we only see the RSF.
They're the ones on the ground," Ahmed said.
"Our neighbourhood is now completely under RSF control. They loot and harass people and wander around, always armed, taking shelter wherever they want," said Duaa Tariq, 30, an art curator in Khartoum.
Tariq told Reuters she hoped the talks in Jeddah could lead to a ceasefire, but was doubtful, adding, "We can't really trust either side because they don't have control of their soldiers on the ground."
Map of clashes between SAF and RSF and displacement of people internally and across borders.
Source: Qatar Tribune
