Military

Sudanese Rivals Agree to Humanitarian Ceasefire From Saturday - Reports

DOHA (Sputnik) - Sudan’s conflicting parties have agreed a week-long ceasefire that will allow for humanitarian access to conflict zones starting Saturday, Qatari media reported.
Sputnik
Negotiators of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Force struck the deal in the Saudi city of Jeddah, according to Al Jazeera news network. The agreement can be prolonged.
"The parties to the conflict pledged to open humanitarian ‘corridors’ to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population. They reaffirmed their commitment to withdraw their forces as far as possible from hospitals and medical institutions," an informed source told Sputnik after the talks in Jeddah concluded.
Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Sudanese Armed Forces chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan to discuss progress in Jeddah talks.
"The Secretary urged flexibility and leadership. The Secretary again condemned the violence by both parties… underscoring that agreement in Jeddah would allow the provision of humanitarian assistance and essential services," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
On April 15, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese regular armed forces and the RSF, with the epicenter located in Khartoum. The government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The parties have since introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires, but the conflict has not been settled yet.
The World Health Organization estimates that some 705 people have been killed and at least 5,287 others injured in fighting since mid-April. Both sides have traded blame for the ensuing humanitarian crisis, with dire shortages of food, water and fuel, and limited power supply.
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