Civilians attacked in Darfur region as Sudan fighting escalates

Across the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets throughout Sunday and airstrikes hit its twin city Omdurman.

A Jordanian public broadcaster showed images of the towering Sudanese central bank ablaze.

Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, said he and his Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries would agree to talk only once a full ceasefire was respected.

Amid a communications blackout from much of Darfur, which is 500 miles west of Khartoum, evidence slowly emerged of widespread destruction, amid fears that fighting in the capital could enflame longstanding tensions in the region.

Fighting between SAF and RSF militias broke out in two areas of Darfur during fierce battles in the capital earlier this month. A major hospital in North Darfur sustained damage and UN offices in two cities reported looting and destruction.

Community leaders in Darfur attempted to keep the peace on the ground despite increasing violence by local militias, sometimes with links to Khartoum.

Observers described increasing use of heavy weaponry by both the RSF and forces aligned to the SAF amid fears that other local militias across Darfur were arming themselves.