Port Sudan: Clashes between the Sudanese army and tribal militiamen started in the city of Port Sudan since the conflict started in the country in April this year, Western media reported on Monday.
Media reports quoting witnesses said this was the first fighting in the strategic Red Sea city in more than five months of the conflict.
Sudan conflict claims thousands of lives
Since April 15 thousands of people have been killed in clashes between the regular army commanded by Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
A witness in Port Sudan told media that an exchange of gunfire between the army and a militia led by Sheba Darar, a leader from the local Beja tribe took place in the center of the city.
The only functioning airport of the conflict-hit Sudan lies in Port Sudan and hosts government officials as well as the United Nations offices.
Read Also: Sudan’s Capital in Flames as Violent Conflict Continues
The UN body offices were moved to Port Sudan from the capital Khartoum due to intense fighting between the regular army and tribal militias. Till now Port Sudan had been saved from the violence.
Earlier on Sunday flames and chaos plagued the streets of Khartoum as the country grapples with a new wave of violence. Witnesses said that for the second consecutive day, paramilitary forces carried out an assault on the army headquarters.
The head of the RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has often mocked General Burhan for what he termed hiding in a bunker. However, Dagalo has only been seen in a video once since the war started, talking to soldiers near a house in an unidentified location in July.
