Gunfire and explosions erupt across Sudan's capital as military rivals clash

Smoke is seen rising from a neighborhood in Khartoum, Sudan, on Saturday. Fierce clashes between Sudan's military and the country's powerful paramilitary erupted in the capital and elsewhere in the African nation after weeks of escalating tensions between the two forces. (Marwan Ali/AP)

LAGOS, Nigeria — Fighting erupted Saturday morning in Sudan's capital Khartoum between two factions of Sudan's armed forces, with reports of gunfire and explosions across the city. After weeks of mounting tensions, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) say they have taken control of the presidential palace, the state TV station, the residence of the army chief and Khartoum International Airport, plunging the country into further turmoil.

Both the RSF and Sudan's military have accused each other of instigating the ongoing fighting, and air force jets have been seen attacking targets over Khartoum. The sudden conflict follows a long dispute over plans to integrate both forces as part of a fragile transition to democracy, that now appears in further jeopardy.