"Sudan on the Brink: U.N. Issues Dire Warning as Capital Ravaged by Air Strikes"

The United Nations has issued a warning about a potential humanitarian crisis in Sudan, as foreign nations begin to wrap up their evacuation efforts. Despite the announcement of an extension to the ceasefire agreement, clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to rage on. These confrontations have resulted in numerous casualties, including hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, over a period of 16 days since the outbreak of hostilities on April 15.

The ongoing crisis shows no signs of being resolved swiftly and has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe. It has caused severe destruction in the city of Khartoum, increased the likelihood of involvement by neighboring countries, and sparked renewed conflict in the Darfur area.

Even though both sides agreed to a 72-hour extension of a ceasefire on Sunday, the truce has been repeatedly violated, and there were reports of air strikes and artillery fire in Khartoum and nearby areas on Monday. The United Nations has suggested the possibility of holding truce talks in Saudi Arabia, but the situation remains highly volatile and uncertain.

According to Sudanese residents who left the city and later returned, they witnessed a significant change in the city's condition. Reports of dead bodies and looted areas, including factories where people were seen carrying stolen items like televisions and large sacks were common.

Many Sudanese people have been forced to leave their homes due to the ongoing crisis in the country, with some seeking refuge in places like Atbara, while others are attempting to flee to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Chad. The situation has become so dire that foreign governments have been evacuating their citizens through various means, but some have now ceased these operations. For those who remain, the conditions are extremely challenging and risky.

A Khartoum-based barber named Abdelbagi expressed his concern for his safety, citing that he works for a maximum of three hours before shutting down his business. His main motivation for continuing to work despite the danger is the rising cost of living.

 Meanwhile, Egypt reported that 40,000 Sudanese nationals have crossed the border, while some have opted to go to neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. 

The health ministry has confirmed that over 500 individuals have lost their lives and more than 4,500 have been injured in recent events. However, the United Nations suspects that the actual death toll is significantly greater than what has been reported.

Martin Griffiths, a high-ranking United Nations representative specializing in emergency relief and humanitarian aid, expressed concerns over the repercussions of the conflict in Sudan both on the country itself and the wider region. He emphasized the unprecedented nature of the situation, with the scale and pace of the unfolding events causing alarm among officials.

The leaders of the Sudanese military, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, are facing increasing pressure to put an end to the ongoing conflict and allow for aid to be delivered safely. While both have nominated representatives for ceasefire monitoring talks, they are also preparing for a prolonged battle. Burhan has made it clear that he will not negotiate with Hemedti, who in turn has threatened to either hand Burhan over to justice or to the cemetery.

Fighting has erupted between the army and the RSF forces, with the latter taking up positions in residential areas in Khartoum. The better equipped army has been resorting to using air strikes from drones and war planes, while the more agile RSF forces have been able to spread out across the city. It remains to be seen how this conflict will be resolved, but the international community is calling for an end to the violence and for both sides to come to the negotiating table.

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