FEROCIOUS fighting between paramilitary fighters and the military is taking place in the northern suburbs of Sudan’s capital, residents say.
The battles in Bahri echo those that took place in central Khartoum in the first days of the conflict, which erupted more than three weeks ago.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) group said in a video that it had shot down a military fighter jet in Bahri. This is yet to be confirmed independently.
Since the start of the conflict, RSF fighters have been in control of much of Khartoum with the army attacking them from the air.
The army now says it is making good progress on the ground, and maintains it is gaining the upper hand in Bahri.
From Omdurman, where I live in the west of Khartoum, I can see black smoke across the city and can hear the sounds of heavy shelling and artillery.
Other residents in Omdurman say shells have fallen at the famous al-Mahdi mosque – and a huge market in the area has just been overrun by looters.
Any goods can be found at the Libyan Souq – from clothing and mobiles phones to computers and food.
Some traders there have been open for business despite the fighting.
With people short of food and money, widespread looting broke out on Wednesday afternoon – targeting all shops whether open or closed.
Meanwhile, a Khartoum resident has sent the BBC photos taken by a drone on Wednesday morning. They show the plumes of smoke over the skyline and also the compound of the presidential palaces, which includes the old historic building (in the foreground) and the current seat of government (behind to the left).
On Tuesday, the RSF said that the old presidential palace had been destroyed – but it appears intact in the photo.
The new presidential palace, which is the one with the dome, appears severely damaged by a fire.
This is all happening against the backdrop of talks between the rival sides in Saudi Arabi aimed at securing humanitarian corridors and an eventual ceasefire.
