Sudanese army intercepts drone attacks on cities after RSF agrees to truce

"Loud explosions have been heard in Sudan's army-held capital Khartoum, shortly after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it was ready for a truce after fighting the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for more than two years of brutal civil war. The attacks took place early Friday, targeting Omdruman, part of the greater Khartoum area, and army-held Atbara to the north of the capital, and were intercepted by the army's air defence systems, according to Al Jazeera's Hiba Morgan."

"The day before, the RSF had responded positively to a ceasefire idea proposed by the Quad, a group comprising international mediators the United States, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. SAF has yet to give an official response to the proposal, which would see a three-month humanitarian pause followed by a permanent ceasefire that would ostensibly pave the way for an eventual political transition to civilian rule."

"A Sudanese military official told the news agency The Associated Press on Thursday that the army welcomed the proposal, but would only agree to a truce when the RSF completely withdraws from civilian areas and gives up weapons. Reporting from Khartoum, Al Jazeera's Morgan said that it seemed the army would continue fighting until the RSF met its conditions. The RSF, for its part, would also continue fighting until the army agreed to the Quad's proposal, she said."

Explosions struck Khartoum and attacks targeted Omdurman and Atbara, intercepted by army air defences, after the RSF said it was ready for a truce. The RSF responded positively to a Quad proposal for a three-month humanitarian pause followed by a permanent ceasefire leading toward civilian rule, while the SAF has not given an official response. A Sudanese military official said the army would accept a truce only if the RSF fully withdrew from civilian areas and disarmed. The army appears prepared to keep fighting until those conditions are met, and the RSF insists on the Quad terms.

Read at www.aljazeera.com