Sudan

"Based on the endeavours and request of the Saudi-American mediation, the Armed Forces agreed to extend the truce for extra 72 hours, to begin at the end of the current one," the Army said on Sunday in a statement. The Army expressed hope that the other party would abide by the truce, Xinhua news agency reported.For its part, the RSF said in a statement on Sunday that "in response to international, regional and local calls, we declare an extension of the humanitarian truce for an additional 72 hours, starting today midnight".

Speaking to the BBC on Friday night, Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti, alleged that RSF fighters were being "relentlessly" bombed since a three-day truce had been extended on Thursday midnight. The initial 72-hour ceasefire was brokered by the US on Monday and the extension of the truce came after intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as Washington, the UK and UN.

The Turkish C-130 plane, which was landing at Wadi Seidna Airport outside Sudan's capital Khartoum for evacuation, was shot at, said a statement from the ministry, Xinhua news agency reported. The plane landed safely, no injuries were reported for the personnel, and the aircraft is parked for inspection, the statement added.

What has been unfolding in Sudan since April 15, when violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces broke out, is a nightmare for ordinary citizens and aid workers alike, she told the Security Council in a briefing. Even prior to April 15, humanitarian needs in Sudan were at a record high.

"Following intense negotiation over the past 48 hours, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to implement a nationwide ceasefire starting at midnight on April 24, to last for 72 hours," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a written statement on Tuesday morning. Previously attempted ceasefires have failed as the brutal fighting, which first erupted on April 15, has killed at least 427 people and injured more than 3,700, according to UN agencies.

"Operation Kaveri gets underway to bring back our citizens stranded in Sudan. About 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan. More on their way," Jaishankar tweeted. "Our ships and aircraft are set to bring them back home. Committed to assist all our bretheren in Sudan," he said.

For the past week or so, fighting has been raging in the Sudanese capital between the army and paramilitary forces, leading to the death of around 300 people, including an Indian citizen. The embassy is open and working, but there is no staff living there as the building is located near the airport, where intense fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary, known as Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is going on, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters.

In an advisory to Indians there, the embassy said "We have come across many instances of looting. All Indian nationals are advised please not to venture out. Please ration your supplies. The situation may continue for a few more days. Please try to take help from your neighbours. Please stay at home and remain safe."