Al-Burhan reveals soldier fatalities in his exit operation from Khartoum
August 28, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, disclosed that several soldiers lost their lives during a military operation aimed at securing his departure from the army General Command in Khartoum.
In the early hours of Thursday, August 24, Al-Burhan arrived at the Karari military zone south of Omdurman before departing from Wadi Seidna Air Base to Atbara, eventually reaching Port Sudan. However, the army did not release specific details regarding the operation.
This shroud of secrecy has fostered a climate of conjecture and rumours. The most noteworthy among these speculations suggests that the chief commander left the RSF besieged area as part of a deal between the warring factions, brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Speaking before naval personnel at the Flamingo military base along the Red Sea, Burhan forcefully assertions that his departure was orchestrated through an agreement, underscoring that his exit was the result of a comprehensive military undertaking involving all branches of the armed forces..
“My departure took place through a military operation, in which two navy members lost their lives while ensuring the safe exit of the commander-in-chief from the General Command. This operation saw participation from air, ground, and naval forces,” he stated.
“There were clashes during which we lost brave soldiers, and anyone suggesting otherwise is spreading falsehood,” he further emphasized.
Despite earlier statements claiming control over the area surrounding the army command and that they bar his exit from the fortified bunker, the RSF refrained from issuing any statement on the matter.
On Monday, the head of the Sovereign Council chaired a meeting of the interim cabinet members, who provided an overview of the nation’s economic status post the outbreak of conflict against the RSF.
Prior to this meeting, he held discussions with his deputy, Malik Agar, who briefed him on foreign tours and meetings held with international leaders.
The Sovereign Council reported that al-Burhan also met with a delegation of traditional leaders from West Darfur, led by the Masalit tribal leader, Saad Abdel Rahman Bahr al-Din.
The meeting discussed the circumstances of Sudanese refugees in Chad and ongoing endeavours to provide them with humanitarian assistance.
Following attacks by the RSF and allied militia that claimed the lives of hundreds, including the state governor, thousands of civilians from West Darfur have sought sanctuary in Chad.
(ST)