Smokes rise after clashes erupted in the Sudanese capital on April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Photo: Omer Erdem/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The international community, including the U.S., called for an end to the violence in Sudan on Saturday after deadly fighting erupted between the Sudanese military and a powerful rival militia in the capital Khartoum and several other places across the country.
Why it matters: The armed confrontation has further deteriorated the political crisis the country has faced since a military coup in October 2021. The fighting between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) also increased fears that the violence could plunge the country into a wider conflict.
Driving the news: Saturday's fighting follows growing tensions between the Sudanese military headed by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, which is led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo — known as Hemedti.
Catch up quick: A December 2018 uprising, which eventually saw the ouster of 30-year ruler Omar al-Bashir, was followed by a power-sharing agreement between the military and the Forces of Freedom and Change, a coalition of different political parties and factions that demonstrated against al-Bashir, Wasil Ali wrote for Axios in December.
State of play: Heavy fighting has been reported in Khartoum since Saturday morning local time.
What they're saying: Al-Burhan told Al Jazeera the military has the situation under control.
Secretary of State Tony Blinken wrote on Twitter that the U.S. is deeply concerned about the violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces.
Saudi Arabia, which is deeply involved in the country, also called for calm.