AT least three civilians died and dozens were injured in a series of gun battles today.
US Ambassador John Godfrey sheltered while rival armed factions fought to control Khartoum in Sudan.
As gunfire and explosions blasted the capital, he posted: “Escalation of tensions within the military component to direct fighting is extremely dangerous.
“I urgently call on senior military leaders to stop the fighting.”
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s government is battling the Rapid Support Forces as the African nation attempts to switch to civilian rule.
Both claimed to be in control of the presidential palace and airport.
A witness said: “There’s so much panic and fear.”
Many residents were caught in transit, with many bridges and roads closed and schools in lockdown.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called on Sudan’s leadership to “restrain troops and de-escalate”.
Tensions between the two sides have been escalating in recent months, forcing a delay in signing a deal with political parties to revive the country’s democratic transition.
They had forged a partnerhsip after former leader Omar al Bashir was ousted in 2019.
But army boss General Abdel Fattah has been de facto president since a military coup in October 2021.
Ed Southgate
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