Sudan’s military leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has survived an assassination attempt, as confirmed by the army spokesman to the BBC.
Nabil Abdallah accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of orchestrating the attack. The army and RSF have been embroiled in a conflict for control of the country for the past 16 months.
Abdallah reported that two drones targeted an army graduation ceremony, resulting in the deaths of five people at a base in Jabait, located in eastern Sudan under military control.
The RSF has not issued a statement regarding the incident. The attack follows Gen Burhan’s government’s conditional agreement to participate in US-mediated peace talks next month.
Previous attempts at peace negotiations have failed, with both sides not adhering to their commitments, prolonging the conflict that has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Over 10 million people have been displaced since the former allies clashed over a politically-backed plan to transition to civilian rule.
The Jabait army base, situated approximately 100km (62 miles) from Port Sudan, serves as the military’s de facto capital and the residence of Gen Burhan.
Footage from the ceremony on Wednesday morning shows military graduates marching in ceremonial dress just before the sound of a strike is heard.
“The only party that is hostile to the Sudanese people and targeting the Sudanese people is the rebel Rapid Support Forces,” Gen Abdallah told the BBC.
He expressed gratitude to God that Gen Burhan and “all the commanders present are fine,” and noted that there were no significant injuries.
The Beja people, residing between the mountains and the Red Sea coast, have had a contentious relationship with those in power over recent decades, often feeling neglected and marginalized.
These communities often have internal conflicts but generally support Gen Burhan, despite frustrations over rising living costs in Port Sudan due to the influx of people fleeing the capital, Khartoum.
Only the army and RSF possess drones, which both sides have extensively used.
There have been recent allegations of internal conflicts within the army. Analysts recall an incident during Ramadan in April, when some commanders from the Abaraa Iban Malik military brigade were killed by drone strikes in Atbara, a northeastern town.
Analysts suggest this brigade, known for its hard-line Islamist stance against peace talks, may have been targeted by more moderate military elements. However, others believe the RSF has increasingly used drones to target army-controlled areas.
According to Reuters, the RSF controls eight of Sudan’s 18 state capitals, including Khartoum, and is expanding into the southeast.
On Tuesday, the Sudanese foreign affairs ministry requested a meeting with US officials ahead of the peace talks scheduled to start in Geneva on August 14.
The RSF accepted the US invitation soon after it was proposed last week.