Scattered Clashes in Sudan; Continuing Ceasefire at Risk

After five weeks of war and clashes in Khartoum and escalating violence in other regions of Sudan, including the western Darfur area, the ceasefire agreement has become very fragile. Reuters reported from the Sudanese capital that residents of Khartoum say the clashes that began on Wednesday between rival military groups threaten the delivery of aid. Local witnesses told Reuters that in western Khartoum, and near an army camp in southern Khartoum, columns of black smoke were seen rising due to shelling. Additionally, in Bahri, one of the three cities surrounding the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile that form the capital of Sudan, the sounds of fighting and artillery fire can be heard. Previously, residents had reported artillery fire near the Wadi Sidna military base in the outskirts of Omdurman, the third city. The parties involved in the conflict accused each other of violating the ceasefire in their statements on Wednesday. In this civil war, the Sudanese army is engaged with the paramilitary 'Rapid Support Forces,' and this conflict has intensified the humanitarian crisis in this African country, displacing more than one million people. Saudi Arabia and the United States have mediated to establish a ceasefire between the warring parties. The UN Secretary-General had previously warned of the occurrence of a 'widespread war' in Sudan. Scattered clashes in Sudan have continued after the signing of a short-term ceasefire agreement. A seven-day ceasefire agreement between the warring parties in Sudan has been established. Airstrikes have targeted the outskirts of Khartoum; food supplies in Sudan are running low. Opposition battles in the capital of Sudan; the army has conducted airstrikes on the capital. The UN has called for three billion dollars in aid for 25 million people in Sudan. Wendy Sherman emphasized 'the United States' strong support for Israel's security.'