Sudanese army accuses RSF of shelling Turkish evacuation aircraft

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Apr 2023 12:45

The Turkish Defense Ministry says its Air Force evacuation aircraft was shelled in Sudan.

British nationals evacuated from Sudan arrive at the Larnaca International Airport, in Larnaca, Cyprus, April 26, 2023 (Reuters)

The Sudanese army said a Turkish C-130 aircraft involved in the evacuation in Sudan was damaged during shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) while landing at a military airfield north of Khartoum, leaving one crew member injured.

"A Turkish C-130 aircraft, which arrived in Sudan for evacuation, was fired upon by rebels this morning while landing at the Wadi Seidna Air Base, which damaged the aircraft's fuel tanks and injured one crew member. However, the plane managed to land safely at the Wadi Seidna airport," the army posted on social media.

On its part, the RSF denied the Sudanese army's accusations, adding that they come as part of the army's "continuation of the disinformation campaigns by spreading lies and allegations to cover up their actions and deeds."

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم #قوات_الدعم_السريع

28 أبريل 2023
استمرارًا لحملات التضليل الإعلامي من خلال نشر الأكاذيب والإدعاءات للتغطية على تصرفاتها وأفعالها زعمت القيادات الانقلابية بالقوات المسلحة المسنودة بفلول النظام البائد المتطرفة أن قواتنا هاجمت طائرة إجلاء تركية وهي مزاعم… pic.twitter.com/z3izhR08gu
— Rapid Support Forces - قوات الدعم السريع (@RSFSudan) April 28, 2023

The RSF said it has remained strictly committed to the humanitarian truce that it agreed upon since midnight, adding that it does not maintain a presence in the vicinity of Wadi Seidna and that the air base is not under its control.

The Rapid Support Forces blamed the Sudanese army for the attack, accusing the armed forces of trying to sabotage the RSF's relations with countries.

Turkish MoD confirms C-130 evacuation aircraft came under fire

On its part, the Turkish Defense Ministry confirmed that its Air Force evacuation aircraft was shelled in Sudan, saying that it successfully landed and no one was injured.

"Our C-130 evacuation aircraft en route to Wadi Seidna Airport to evacuate our citizens was fired upon from small arms. Our aircraft landed safely. Our personnel were not injured and the necessary control of the aircraft is currently being carried out," the Ministry said in a statement.

This comes as the fifth truce in Sudan entered into force, amid cautious calm prevailing in the capital, Khartoum, after sporadic clashes and overflights of warplanes were recorded.

Media sources reported that clashes took place in the vicinity of the presidential palace, adding that Tuti Island in central Khartoum was shelled.

It is noteworthy that on the last day of the fourth ceasefire, clashes erupted at several points in Khartoum and plumes of smoke rose in the vicinity of the presidential palace, coinciding with the overflight of warplanes.

#Sudan is plunged into complete chaos one day after clashes broke out between the #Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). pic.twitter.com/C4zxUOWKEJ
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 16, 2023