A devastating plane crash in Sudan resulted in 46 confirmed deaths during a military operation amidst escalating conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF. Witnesses reported explosions and significant local damage, while emergency services attended to the injured. The civil unrest has led to a major humanitarian crisis with millions displaced since the conflict began in April 2023.
A tragic plane crash in Sudan has claimed the lives of 46 individuals, including military personnel and civilians. The incident occurred during takeoff amid ongoing hostilities between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have intensified since April 2023. The Khartoum regional government’s media office confirmed the number of fatalities and reported that an additional ten people sustained injuries.
Previous reports from the army-aligned health ministry indicated that the death toll might have been lower, with at least 19 casualties initially documented. Witnesses recounted a loud explosion, describing extensive damage to several homes and power outages in areas surrounding the crash site. Emergency services promptly transported injured civilians, some of whom were children, to a local hospital for urgent care.
An anonymous military source suggested that a technical malfunction was likely responsible for the crash’s occurrence, although no official statements have corroborated this claim. On the eve of this incident, the RSF claimed to have shot down a Russian-made Ilyushin aircraft over Nyala, South Darfur, further escalating tensions in the region.
The ongoing conflict stems from a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamadan Daglo, the RSF commander, exacerbated by a disagreement over future government structures. This conflict has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations, with over 12 million people displaced and critical infrastructure severely impacted throughout major cities like Khartoum.
In an effort to consolidate their position, the RSF recently signed a charter in Nairobi with allied political and armed groups to form a parallel government in the areas they control. As the situation worsens, the instability threatens to provoke further humanitarian distress for the Sudanese population.
The airplane crash in Sudan underscores the severe consequences of the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. With rising fatalities and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the need for a resolution has become increasingly urgent. The international community is likely to focus on enhancing assistance for the displaced populations affected by this prolonged violence and seeking pathways towards peace.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
