Fighting pitting Sudan's army and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces intensified on Monday, with residents in the capital Khartoum reporting shelling and air strikes throughout the day.
“It's by far the worst day since the fighting began. The shelling, the explosions and the roar of jets never stopped,” said Sulaima Ishaq, a university lecturer and veteran rights campaigner.
Monday marked the third day of what is effectively the latest in Sudan’s seemingly endless civil wars since independence in 1956. But Khartoum, a city of nearly seven million, has never witnessed violence of the magnitude seen since Saturday.
At least 180 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured in the three days of fighting, the UN's envoy to Sudan said on Monday evening.
"It's a very fluid situation so it's very difficult to say where the balance is shifting to," said Volker Perthes.
At least 97 civilians and 45 soldiers have been killed in the fighting, an independent medical group linked to the pro-democracy movement said earlier in the day.
It's by far the worst day since the fighting began. The shelling, the explosions and the roar of jets never stopped
Sulaima Ishaq,
a university lecturer and veteran rights campaigner.
Neither the army nor the RSF have released casualty figures but each is believed to have lost scores of soldiers.
Sudan's army chief and military ruler, Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, said on Monday that he was open to negotiations to end the fighting, in a shift away from his categorical refusal earlier to negotiate with the RSF and its commander, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
“Every war ends at the negotiation table even if the opponent is defeated,” he told Sky News Arabia. “Even if there is surrender, there is still negotiation.”
Earlier on Monday he declared the RSF was in rebellion and ordered it to be dissolved, moves that are largely academic but underline the unbridgeable gap that now exists between the two sides.
The reluctance of the RSF to meet demands by Gen Al Burhan and civilian politicians that the paramilitary integrates into the armed forces is at the heart of the conflict. It is the only remaining obstacle to the settlement of a long-running political crisis to restore Sudan’s democratic transition, upended by a 2021 military coup led by Gen Al Burhan and Gen Dagalo.
The fighting has continued despite calls for a ceasefire by world powers and regional heavyweights including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia the UAE.
“The situation has already led to horrendous loss of life, including many civilians,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday, as he appealed for a ceasefire and dialogue.
UAE calls for de-escalation
The UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed, in a call with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, called for de-escalation on both sides.
The head of state "stressed the importance of stopping the escalation, ensuring the protection of civilians, upholding the supreme interest of Sudan, and returning to the political track", news agency Wam said.
Ms Ishaq, a mother of four who lives in Omdurman, a large district across the Nile from Khartoum. said the thud of artillery and screaming jet fighters the previous night had disturbed her children's sleep.
“I am whispering because I don't want to wake them up to these noises again,” she told The National in a WhatsApp voice note.
“This war is pathetic. No one will win it. We want the Rapid Support Forces to be integrated in the army or dissolved, but we never wanted this done with our blood,” she said.
“We were not prepared for war.”
Ms Ishaq and other civilians reported that food supplies were becoming a concern.
A Khartoum resident said grocery stores were running out of food and that there were long queues outside bakeries on Monday morning.
“They closed down and people may not be able to have enough to eat tomorrow,” said the resident, who did not want to be identified.
“Our only source of comfort is when the calls for prayers ring out from the mosques amid all the battle noise,” he said.
The fighting began in the final 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and focus on spirituality and prayers. Eid Al Fitr, a major holiday that signals the end of Ramadan, falls at the end of this week.
Noaman Ishaq, also from Omdurman, said streets in the district were deserted except for residents desperately looking for food shops that might be open.
“Some residents are considering breaking into stores and pharmacies to grab food for their hungry children and their sick loved ones,” he said.
The fighting, which is also raging in a string of other cities, threatens to plunge the vast and impoverished Afro-Arab nation into a prolonged conflict that would devastate the lives of the Sudanese and consign it to international isolation.
Jet fighters on the army's side have been pounding parts of the armed forces' sprawling headquarters held by the RSF and the paramilitary's bases in Bahri which, like Omdurman, is a sister city of Khartoum.
Most of Monday's fighting on the ground was taking place around the armed forces' headquarters and the Nile-side Republican Palace, the seat of power in Sudan, according to witnesses.
Khartoum airport, however, remains under RSF control and besieged by army troops. The airport was closed on Saturday, when regional and international airlines suspended flights to the Sudanese capital. Smoke was seen on Monday billowing from the runway area, but it was not immediately clear what had caused it.
Also on Monday, the military said troops regained control of the Omdurman complex housing the state's television and radio. Both were briefly off air, but television went back on air on Monday and was broadcasting footage of army troops capturing RSF vehicles.
Elsewhere in Khartoum, the streets were deserted, with most stores and businesses shut. Schools have been closed since Saturday and work at hospitals has also been disrupted.
In a series of tweets in English posted on Monday by Gen Dagalo, the RSF commander called on the international community to intervene against Gen Al Burhan, calling him a “radical Islamist who is bombing civilians from the air.”
Gen Al Burhan, he wrote, wants to take Sudan back to the “dark” days of former dictator Omar Al Bashir, who was ousted by the army and the RSF in 2019.
Gen Dagalo also sought to present himself as an advocate of democracy.
“The fight that we are waging now is the price of democracy,” he wrote. “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.”
Khartoum residents often leave the city during the final two days of Ramadan to spend Eid Al Fitr in their home villages, but many of them were leaving early, braving the shelling and gunfire on Monday to catch buses heading to provincial areas, witnesses said.
The outbreak of clashes on Saturday came two days after the army said the recent redeployment and mobilisation by the RSF in Khartoum and other major cities posed a danger to national security and constituted a breach of the law and the paramilitary's own regulations.
The RSF, which has its roots in the Janjaweed militia that fought on the government’s side in Darfur’s civil war in the 2000s, was legitimised in 2013 by Al Bashir as part of the nation’s border force. A law making it part of the armed forces, albeit with considerable autonomy, was passed in 2017.
It is now thought to be a force of about 100,000, with many deployed in Khartoum since 2019, the year Al Bashir was removed from power.
The paramilitary group has expanded in recent years, independently procuring arms abroad and hiring foreign military advisers. It has vast economic interests, including gold mines.
Its commander, Gen Dagalo, is known to enjoy the support of Russia and several regional powerhouses.
He and Gen Al Burhan jointly staged the 2021 military takeover. The two generals also co-operated in removing Al Bashir from power in 2019 amid a popular uprising.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Most wanted allegations
- Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
- Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
- Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer.
- Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
- Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
- John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
- Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
- Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
- Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain.
- Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
- James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
- Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
High profile Al Shabab attacks
- 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
- 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
- 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
- 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
- 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
- 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
Switching%20sides
%3Cp%3EMahika%20Gaur%20is%20the%20latest%20Dubai-raised%20athlete%20to%20attain%20top%20honours%20with%20another%20country.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVelimir%20Stjepanovic%20(Serbia%2C%20swimming)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20raised%20in%20Dubai%2C%20he%20finished%20sixth%20in%20the%20final%20of%20the%202012%20Olympic%20Games%20in%20London%20in%20the%20200m%20butterfly%20final.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJonny%20Macdonald%20(Scotland%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBrought%20up%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20represented%20the%20region%20in%20international%20rugby.%20When%20the%20Arabian%20Gulf%20team%20was%20broken%20up%20into%20its%20constituent%20nations%2C%20he%20opted%20to%20play%20for%20Scotland%20instead%2C%20and%20went%20to%20the%20Hong%20Kong%20Sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20daughter%20of%20an%20English%20mother%20and%20Emirati%20father%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20in%20Dubai%2C%20then%20after%20attending%20university%20in%20the%20UK%20played%20for%20England%20at%20sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
