Continued Fighting in Sudan Despite Commitment to 'Temporary Ceasefire'

According to eyewitnesses, airstrikes, artillery, and tanks shook Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and Khartoum Bahri, the adjacent port city, mocking the 72-hour ceasefire announced by the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Reuters reported that the RSF accused the army of conducting airstrikes on their bases in Omdurman, violating the ceasefire achieved through international mediation. The Sudanese army, in turn, holds the RSF responsible for the ceasefire violations. Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked residential neighborhoods in Khartoum, and columns of smoke rose over Khartoum Bahri. According to the United Nations, at least '512 people have been killed' and nearly '4,200 injured'. The Sudanese Doctors Union reported at least '387 civilians' killed, believing the actual death toll is much higher than the reported figures. The power struggle between the army and RSF, which began on April 15 of this year, has disrupted the internationally supported transition to democratic elections, leaving hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced. This violence has also sent tens of thousands of refugees to Sudan's borders, threatening to escalate instability in this volatile region of Africa. The United States has stated that hundreds of Americans have left Sudan by land, sea, or air. The New York Times reported that a bus convoy carrying 300 Americans left Khartoum late on Friday on an 845-kilometer journey to the Red Sea, marking the first organized evacuation effort by the U.S. for its citizens. Previously, American diplomats had exited Sudan. Fighting continues in Sudan despite the ceasefire extension; a Turkish plane was targeted in an attack. The ceasefire has been extended for three days in Sudan. The fragile ceasefire extension has been welcomed by the U.S. and the United Nations.