US indicates it could intervene in Sudan, imposes sanctions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that the United States could intervene in Sudan where rival factions are fighting for control of the capital Khartoum.

Blinken said on Thursday that both sides in the conflict in Sudan had violated their commitments to a US-brokered, Saudi-backed ceasefire.

"We're also looking at steps that we can take to make clear our views on any leaders who are moving Sudan in the wrong direction, including by perpetuating the violence and by violating ceasefires that they've actually committed to," Blinken said in a news conference in Oslo, on Thursday.

The top US diplomat described the situation in Sudan as "incredibly fragile."

Last month, Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to the truce.

The two sides had agreed to the ceasefire through the mediation of Saudi Arabia and the United States on May 20. But since then they have violated it on numerous occasions.

On Wednesday, the Sudanese army suspended its participation in the Saudi-backed talks with the RSF to end months of fighting.

Despite peace efforts, fighting continued unabated in the African country, with the army and the RSF trading blame over truce violations.

US imposes more sanctions on Sudan

Following Blinken’s statement, the White House announced new economic and visa sanctions against Sudanese leaders responsible for breaking the ceasefire and provoking what it called "appalling" bloodshed.

"We are following through by levying economic sanctions, imposing visa restrictions against actors who are perpetuating the violence," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

The US Treasury Department said it targeted two companies linked to Sudan's army and two companies tied to the RSF.

"We will not hesitate to take additional steps if the parties continue to destroy their country," said a senior US administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity. 

"The targeting of the companies is far from symbolic," the official said, adding that the measures are intended to choke off the access of the fighting groups to weapons and resources that allow them to perpetuate the conflict. 

Heavy clashes continue in Sudan as UN warns of starvation

The ruling military council and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been engaged in clashes since April 15.

Fighting continued Thursday, with witnesses reporting "heavy artillery fire" in north Khartoum.

"Eighteen civilians were killed and 106 wounded" by army shelling and air strikes on a market in south Khartoum, a committee of human rights lawyers said.

The toll was confirmed by a neighborhood group that organizes aid, which said the situation was "catastrophic" and appealed for medical help and blood donations.

In both north and south Khartoum on Wednesday, troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attacked key bases of the RSF led by commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, residents told AFP.

The war in Sudan has forced nearly 1.4 million people to flee their homes, including more than 350,000 who have crossed into neighboring countries.

More than six weeks into the conflict, the United Nations estimated that more than half the population requires aid and protection.

Leaders of the army and the RSF had held the top positions on Sudan’s ruling council since former leader Omar al-Bashir was toppled during an uprising in 2019.

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