The power struggle in Sudan is escalating with the death toll rising day by day. Since the fighting began, around 200 were killed and over 1,800 got injured according to UN envoy Volker Perthes.
Reportedly, with several bodies found lying on the streets in central Khartoum the death toll is likely to go up.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of the State Antony Blinken on Tuesday confirmed that a US diplomatic convoy was fired on in Sudan, but all were safe. He also added that an investigation in underway.
"I can confirm that yesterday we had an American diplomatic convoy that was fired on. All of our people are safe and unharmed. But this action was reckless, it was irresponsible and of course unsafe," he told reporters in Japan after G7 talks.
Also, Blinken spoke to both the commanders of the Army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and called for a ceasefire.
“I spoke to both Sudanese Armed Forces Commander Burhan & Rapid Support Forces Commander Dagalo and underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire. Too many civilian lives have already been lost. Stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel and aid workers,” Blinken tweeted.
Also, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell tweeted that the EU ambassador to Sudan "was assaulted in his own residency". However further details are awaited regarding the assault.
People trapped
Several people are trapped in their homes or wherever they could find shelter, with supplies including food, water running low. Further worsening the situation, several hospitals were forced to shut down as well.
The Sudan Doctors' Syndicate said that out of a total 20 hospitals, 12 hospitals in the capital area have been forcefully evacuated and are out of service because of attacks or power outages. “Four other hospitals outside the capital have also shut down,” it said in a statement.
Gunfire and shelling reported in multiple parts of the capital and Omdurman. In central Khartoum, at least 88 students and staffers have been trapped in the engineering college library at Khartoum University since the start of fighting. Reportedly, one student was killed and another wounded in the attack.
The power struggle between Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, against Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group has paved way for a civil war.
The US, UK and UN had called for a truce. Egypt, which backs Sudan's military, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which forged close ties to the RSF in recent years as it sent thousands of fighters to support their war in Yemen have also called for both sides to stand down, reported AP.
Residents said fierce fighting with artillery and other heavy weapons raged Monday afternoon in the Gabra neighbourhood southwest of Khartoum.