RIYADH: A passenger plane bound for Saudi Arabia was hit by gunfire on Saturday as violence erupted in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, according to the Saudi flag carrier, Saudia.
The Airbus A330, with guests and crew on board, was preparing to depart for Riyadh when it sustained damage from the shooting. All members of the cabin crew were confirmed safe and taken to the Saudi Embassy in Sudan.
The airline has suspended all flights to and from Sudan, citing safety concerns for its passengers and crew. This follows clashes between Sudan’s army and paramilitaries, which led to three civilian deaths, including one at Khartoum’s airport.
The situation in the capital remains tense as paramilitaries have claimed control of the airport and the presidential palace, while the army denies these claims.
The violence comes after several days of escalating tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
The dispute revolves around the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army, which is a crucial element of the ongoing negotiations to end the country’s crisis and return it to civilian rule.
Sudan has been in turmoil since the military coup in 2021, which triggered a deepening economic crisis in one of the poorest countries of the world.
In response to the incident, the Saudi embassy in Sudan has urged all Saudi citizens to remain at home. The Saudi foreign ministry and the Gulf Cooperation Council have also expressed concern about the violence. Meanwhile, there has been no word on any casualties resulting from the attack on the Saudi Plane.
Unrest in Sudan
The incident highlights the volatile situation in Sudan and the risks faced by international travelers. As tensions continue to simmer in the country, it remains to be seen how the ongoing negotiations to resolve the crisis will be affected.
In summary, a passenger plane bound for Saudi Arabia was hit by gunfire in Sudan as deadly fighting rocked the capital. All members of the cabin crew were confirmed safe, and flights to and from Sudan have been suspended.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Sudan’s military and paramilitaries over the integration of the Rapid Support Forces into the regular army. The situation in the country remains tense, and the incident highlights the risks faced by international travelers.
