Khalil Senosi/AP

CAIRO — The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed grave concern over the escalating clashes between rival generals in Sudan, stating that the country is on the brink of a “full-scale civil war.” The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary force has raised fears of destabilization across the entire region, according to the U.N. chief’s deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq.

Tensions between military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, erupted into violent clashes in mid-April, plunging Sudan into chaos. Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim reported last month that the clashes have resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000 others. However, the actual death toll is likely to be much higher. Over 2.9 million people have been displaced, seeking refuge in safer areas within Sudan or fleeing to neighboring countries, according to U.N. figures.

The conflict began 18 months after the two generals led a military coup in October 2021, toppling a civilian transition government backed by the West. This coup and the subsequent conflict dashed hopes for a peaceful transition to democracy following the popular uprising that led to the removal of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

The war has turned Khartoum, the capital, and other urban areas into battlegrounds. Residents reported fierce fighting south of the capital in the Kalaka neighborhood, with heavy weapons being used by the warring factions and military aircraft hovering over the area.

Secretary-General Guterres condemned an airstrike in Omdurman, a city across the Nile from Khartoum, which resulted in the death of at least 22 people. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) blamed the military for the attack, while the military denied involvement in any airstrikes in the city.

The conflict has also heavily impacted the western region of Darfur, with large-scale violence and casualties. U.N. officials have highlighted the dangerous and disturbing disregard for humanitarian and human rights laws. Ethnic tensions have been reported, with the RSF and Arab militias targeting non-Arab tribes in Darfur. The region is experiencing a resurgence of violence reminiscent of the early 2000s conflict that led to genocide.

Clashes between the military and the RSF have also been reported in other provinces of Sudan, including North Kordofan, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile.

Egypt has announced plans to host a meeting on Thursday for Sudan’s neighboring countries, aiming to establish effective mechanisms for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in coordination with international and regional efforts. Despite talks held in Jeddah, brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States, the fighting continues to escalate.

Source: With Agencies