FIGHTING THREATENS SUDAN'S WEEK-LONG TRUCE

(TAP) - Sporadic clashes between the Sudanese army and a powerful paramilitary force spilled over into Thursday, puncturing the relative calm in the capital of Khartoum and raising the risk that a week-long internationally-brokered truce would crumble. The ceasefire, which is being monitored by Saudi Arabia and the United States as well as the warring parties, was reached after five weeks of warfare in Khartoum and outbursts of violence in other parts of Sudan, including the western region of Darfur. The fighting pits Sudan's army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and has worsened a humanitarian crisis, forced over 1.3 million people to flee their homes and threatened to destabilise the wider region.

The army, led by career officer General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, relies on airpower while the RSF, commanded by former militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, has spread out and taken cover in Khartoum's streets.

It is unclear whether either side has gained an edge in a conflict that threatens to create a large-scale humanitarian crisis and destabilise regional countries. Clashes between rival military factions broke out on Wednesday in Khartoum and other cities, residents said.

The city of Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur State, has been under siege by armed militia for the past few days, and the U.N. refugee agency's Darfur coordinator Toby Harward called on authorities to regain control of the city.

Telecommunications have been cut off, and gangs roaming the city on motorcylces have attacked hospitals, government and aid offices, banks, and homes.

A similar situation has been reported in the West Darfur State capital El Geneina, which has also been subject to a telecommunication blackout for several days after hundreds were killed in militia attacks.