At least 97 people have died in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, as intense combat between the country's military and a paramilitary group rages for a third day, ripping apart hopes for a peaceful transition to civilian rule. Each side blames one another for starting the fight. Clashes first erupted Saturday between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. Eyewitnesses in Khartoum told CNN on Monday they heard mortars and artillery in the early hours of the morning, with the fighting intensifying after dawn prayers in the direction of Khartoum International Airport and Sudanese Army garrison sites. The military has been in charge of Sudan since a 2021 coup that derailed the country's path to democracy. Sudan's national state television channel is back on air a day after going dark and is broadcasting messages in support of the army. A banner on the channel said the "armed forces were able to regain control of the national broadcaster after repeated attempts by the militias to destroy its infrastructure." Although the army appears to have control of the television signal, CNN cannot independently verify that it is physically in charge of the Sudan TV premises. Sudan's army has called on RSF fighters to defect and join the armed forces instead in their violent struggle for power. "We call on all our countrymen from the Rapid Support Forces, who have provided their country with great and undeniable previous services, to join the proud armed forces to serve their country among its ranks," a statement from the military said. The Sudanese armed forces said RSF troops are serving the "goals and agenda of one person," in reference to paramilitary leader Dagalo. "We assure our honorable people that the leadership of the armed forces will remain committed to its covenant ... and will not back down from the implementation of the political path," the statement added. Tensions between Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Dagalo boiled over recently, during negotiations over future civilian rule in the country. The leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese group fighting against the country's military, has said he will pursue the head of the armed forces "and bring him to justice." Forces loyal to the two rival generals are vying for control in Sudan and have intensified fighting across different cities in the country. "We are fighting against radical Islamists who hope to keep Sudan isolated and in the dark, and far removed from democracy. We will continue to pursue Al-Burhan and bring him to justice," RSF leader Dagalo said on Twitter. "We did not attack anyone. Our actions are merely a response to the siege and assault against our forces. We are fighting for the people of Sudan to ensure the democratic progress, for which they have so long yearned," he added. Hemedti and military leader Burhan, who were once allies, are now caught in a power struggle over who will be subordinate under a potential new hierarchy of civilian rule. Their conflict has wrought death and destruction upon the civilian population in Sudan. — CNN
