Sudan monitors say sides improve truce compliance despite clashes
reports
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[May 26, 2023]
CAIRO/DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and the United States
said on Friday that Sudan's warring sides were complying better with a
ceasefire despite reports of sporadic fighting from Khartoum residents
and of clashes elsewhere in the country.
The pair are monitoring a seven-day truce between the army and
paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began on Monday, aimed at
allowing access to aid and basic services.
Though fighting appears to have calmed, there has been no full pause in
hostilities with reports throughout the week of clashes, artillery and
airstrikes.
"Although there was observed use of military aircraft and isolated
gunfire in Khartoum, the situation improved from May 24 when the
ceasefire monitoring mechanism detected significant breaches of the
agreement," a Saudi-U.S. statement said.
Saudi and U.S. representatives "cautioned the parties against further
violations and implored them to improve respect for the ceasefire on May
25, which they did," it added.
Some 1.3 million people have fled the fighting, which stems from a power
struggle between the military rivals, seeking refuge within Sudan or
neighbouring states.
The health ministry has said that at least 730 people have been killed,
though the true figure is likely much higher.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/May/26/images/ads/current/qualityinn_sda_PROMGRAD_2023.png)
Those who remain in Khartoum suffer from electricity and water outages,
a breakdown in healthcare services and reduced communications. Many
homes, particularly in well-off areas of the capital, have been raided
and looted.
"When I heard it happened to us I wasn't that surprised," said Taysir
Abdelrahim, who had left Sudan and found out her home was looted two
days ago.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/May/26/images/ads/current/charrons_bch_2022.png)
"Even if we were in Sudan there's nothing you can do about it," she
said. "It's all part of the chaos of this war."
Food stores, flour mills and other essential facilities have been looted
as well.
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![](../images/052623PIX/news_a6.jpg)
A man walks while smoke rises above
buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the
paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North,
Sudan, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/May/02/images/ads/current/guzzardo_lda022609.png)
DARFUR FIGHTING
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) head Samantha
Power said late on Thursday that enough grain to feed 2 million
people was being delivered to Sudan by ship.
However, it is unclear how that and other aid that agencies say is
ready will reach Khartoum and other hard-hit areas without security
guarantees and bureaucratic approvals.
The Saudi-U.S. statement said some aid had been delivered to
Khartoum on Friday, without giving details. The Red Cross has said
it managed to deliver supplies to seven hospitals.
Telecom engineers were able to begin network repairs in Khartoum and
elsewhere on Thursday, the Saudi-U.S. statement added.
Outside the region, fighting has flared in several major cities to
the west in recent days, according to activists, most recently in El
Fashir, capital of North Darfur state.
Further west, the cities of Zalingei and El Geneina have experienced
a total communications blackout amid militia attacks.
Residents of the city of Nyala, one of the country's largest in
South Darfur, said on Friday that calm had returned after days of
fighting between the army and RSF.
Within Khartoum, the army relies on air power while the RSF has
taken cover in the streets. It is unclear whether each side has
gained an edge in recent weeks.
(Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir, Khalid Abdelaziz, and Adam Makary,
Writing by Clauda Tanios and Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by Angus
McDowall and Andrew Cawthorne)
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