Sudan Situation Report, 17 April 2023

Sudan: Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces & and Rapid Support Forces (16 April 2023)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces erupted in Khartoum on 15 April 2023.

• UNHAS plane at Khartoum airport was damaged during the crossfire, which will impact humanitarian operations.

• On 16 April, SAF requested all citizens to remain indoors as they conducted a “full aerial survey of RSF positions.”

• On 16 April, the Sudan Doctors’ Union reported that 56 people were killed and 600 injured.

• WHO is working with the Ministry of Health in Khartoum to support hospitals treating the injured

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in Khartoum just before 9:00 a.m. on 15 April 2023. Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard from several locations in Khartoum. The RSF released a statement claiming to have taken control of Khartoum International Airport, the Presidential Palace, state television, and other key locations in the city. News of clashes at the military base in Merowe in Northern State and heavy exchanges of fire at the Soba military base in the south of Khartoum was also reported around the same time.

Shortly after, heavy fighting was heard at the airport and the Sudanese Air Force attacked RSF positions from the air. Several civilian planes have been reportedly damaged, and unconfirmed reports have indicated this includes the only United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) fixed-wing plane still in service following a recent funding shortage. If confirmed, this will seriously impact access for humanitarian workers to remote areas of the country with the most severe humanitarian needs.

Fighting continued throughout the day and evening in Khartoum and most shops and services remained closed while residents largely remained home. It is unclear which side currently controls which key facility or areas, but clashes are expected to continue for the coming days. In the evening, the SAF announced that all citizens should remain indoors on 16 April while they conduct a “full aerial survey of RSF positions.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that by 8:00 p.m. in Khartoum State, 27 people had been killed and 386 injured (though it has not been confirmed if these were all civilians or included combatants). However, by the morning of 16 April, the Sudan Doctors’ Union reported that this number had risen to 56 killed and 600 injured.

WHO is working with the Ministry of Health in Khartoum to support hospitals treating the injured with fuel delivery for generators and extra blood bags. It is also reported that Bahri Hospital in Khartoum North has received more than 40 injured civilians and is calling for additional surgical supplies.

Significant clashes were reported throughout the day in Al Fasher in North Darfur, El Obeid in North Kordofan, Nyala in South Darfur, and Kassala in Kassala State. The movement of humanitarians has been suspended in South and West Kordofan states and a joint mission is currently stuck in El Obeid.

It was also reported that on the evening of 15 April, three UN agency national staff were killed in Kebkabiya in North Darfur. The staff were part of a group escorted by SAF from Saraf Omra to Kebkabiya. However, on arrival, the SAF base was attacked by RSF, and the staff were shot and killed. Another two staff were seriously injured during the attack. Vehicles of the UN agency were looted.