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Sudanese army forces blasted paramilitary bases with artillery in Khartoum today after pulling out of US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire talks, accusing their foes of failing to honour their commitments.
Mediators have blamed both sides for violating the truce which was supposed to enable secure corridors for delivering aid to an increasingly needy population.
In both the north and south of the capital, key bases of commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) came under attack by troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, residents told AFP.
One witness said there was “heavy artillery fire from army camps” in northern Khartoum, on the 47th day of a war that researchers said has claimed 1,800 lives.
Another reported “artillery blasts on the RSF camp in al-Salha” in southern Khartoum – the largest paramilitary base and arsenal in the city.
The attacks came two days after United States and Saudi mediators said the warring parties had agreed to extend by five days the initial week-long humanitarian truce.
The mediators of the talks, held in the Saudi city of Jeddah, acknowledged repeated breaches but have held off imposing any sanctions.
The army walked out “because the rebels have never implemented a single one of the provisions of a short-term ceasefire which required their withdrawal from hospitals and residential buildings”, a Sudanese government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.
Mediators admitted the truce had been “imperfectly observed”, but said the extension would “permit further humanitarian efforts”.
Despite repeated pledges from both sides, fighting has flared this week both in greater Khartoum and in the western region of Darfur.
“The army is ready to fight until victory,” Burhan declared during a visit to troops in the capital.
The RSF, led by Burhan’s deputy-turned-foe Daglo, said they would “exercise their right to defend themselves” and accused the army of violating the truce.
Sudan specialist Aly Verjee said the mediators had been eager to avoid a complete breakdown of the talks, for fear of a major escalation on the ground.
“The mediators know that the situation is bad,” but were hoping for “arrangements that are better respected”, Verjee, a researcher at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, said before the army’s withdrawal from the talks.
On Sunday the mediators said both forces had disrupted humanitarian efforts, including through the presence of snipers near hospitals in RSF-controlled territory, and army “elements” stealing medical supplies.
They said RSF occupied “civilian homes, private businesses, and public buildings”, some of which were looted, while Burhan’s forces flew military aircraft daily during the ceasefire, “including a confirmed airstrike” that reportedly killed two people.
African Union spokesman Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt told AFP that suspension of the talks should “not discourage” mediation efforts.
After a meeting with East African bloc IGAD, and other officials, he said a plan for broad talks among all Sudanese would be proposed as soon as possible.
Since fighting erupted on 15 April, more than 1,800 people have been killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
The United Nations says 1.2 million people have been internally displaced and more than 425,000 have fled to neighbouring countries.
Yaqout Abderrahim escaped Khartoum for Port Sudan, where she has been waiting 15 days for a rare seat on a flight out.
“We want to leave at any price because our houses are destroyed and we no longer have any means to raise our children,” she told AFP among families camped out on the ground.
More than half the population – 25 million people – are now in need of aid and protection, the UN says.
Entire districts of Khartoum no longer have running water, electricity is only available for a few hours a week, and three quarters of hospitals in combat zones are not functioning.
The health ministry said Wednesday that “nine health facilities” had gone out of service in Jazira state, just south of Khartoum, “despite the declared truce”.
It blamed “the presence of RSF militias threatening the movement of medical personnel and supplies”.
Hundreds have been killed in Darfur, on Sudan’s western border with Chad, where continued fighting “blatantly disregards ceasefire commitments”, Toby Harward, of the UN refugee agency, said earlier.
Darfur has never recovered from the years-long war that began in 2003 when a rebel uprising led strongman Omar al-Bashir to unleash the Janjaweed militia, from which the RSF are descended.
Experts say Burhan is facing increasing pressure from his own Islamist supporters and remnants of the Bashir regime, with whom he had built a symbiotic relationship in order to gain power.
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More good news from Ryanair.
Yes, good news, best wishes to Ryanair
€14 to fly to the States…Jaysus you wouldn’t drive to Limerick for it.. amazing boost for the Irish travelling public if it comes to pass
Michael O’Leary freed the Irish (and a lot of other Europeans). Aer Lingus was for the “better offs” and free perks for their staff. He should be included in the 1916 celebrations.
Tony that would only be a limited offer for a limited period, you’d probably have to fly overnight, and taxes are not included in that figure. Most likely an average flight would be priced 20-30% cheaper than Aerlingus, but as usual with Ryanair you will not be flying into the most desirable airport in your destination city. Dont get me wrong though, the competition is welcome and should drive down fares generally.
Typically overnight flights are more expensive than daytime flights, especially in business class. Business people don’t want to waste a productive day away from their homes and families in the air.
Living in NY- this is fantastic news. I’ll get home more frequently, for cheaper.
If they fly from Ireland, they have said loads they wont fly from Ireland just cities like Frankfurt, Brussels, London etc
Good point Ronan. Could still a lot cheaper to fly to a hub, and connect to Dublin , albeit very inconvenient. Let’s hope for an NY-Dublin flight.
I wonder if Dublin would be the EU hub though as it’s the shortest flight to East coast?
I think they will fly from Dublin, not sure MOL can cope with the success of Aer Lingus from Dublin but rock bottom fares won’t happen IMO, much higher costs with T/A operations.
They would have guaranteed full seats from here with the amount of Irish living in the U.S. .
I refuse point blank to fly with them until their sexist charity calendar comes back!
Michael….. Dublin is a hub…..750000 passengers travelled through Dublin en route to North America last year…….over 2 million passengers used Dublin to fly to North America last year…
Shannon is shorter, would be better for us mid west dwellers. Love flying Shannon when possible, such a rat race flying from Dublin.
As long as you do not want to fly home for a holiday at Christmas, Easter, St. Patricks Day, The All Ireland, or any weekend(except the second week in December) and travel back on a Wednesday (in January), book six months in advance, have your own printer, are five foot six inches tall,( only with short legs) and can put up with Michael O’Leary, you might be lucky enough to get a back row area and travel cheaply, just like the subway in New York.
And the floodgates have been opened for a torrent of posts about people preferring to pull out their toenails rather than fly for more than 20 seconds with ryanair and how a flight to NY will land somewhere in the mid-west.
If correct, a great news story for ireland – potential for great inward tourism.
Only for Ryanair most of us would never get off this island, fair play and best of luck to them.
Never had any issues with them, not been late once and I have flown with them for years!
+1 They are what they are, efficient if spartan. Most people here are too young to remember the kind of prices people had to pay to fly even to the UK before they came on the scene.
A great servant to Irish industry. Best of luck to Michael O’Leary. Not surprised to hear so many Socialists and shinners knock his achievements.
Hey Baz boy, yer always right in there aren’t ya – changing the entire subject just to get a cheap pop at Sinn Féin – you are at this stage a total bore – ya know that don’t ya?
BTW I happen to be both a supporter of Ryanair…. and Sinn Féin.
Save your belly aching.
About time Michael! Looking forward to its success.
They will price just below Aer Lingus like they do with European routes.
Just below? You’re taking the p1ss? Check out Ireland to LHR v Ireland to STN. Have you flown in a plane?
LHR us the most expensive airport in the world.
Check out Gatwick for a fair comparison….
No Cork Gatwick flights that I can see. Dublin Gatwick 25% dearer by Aer Lingus. Ryanair air can be 1/4 the price close to flying. Aer Lingus real rip you off for last minute flights.
I fly home to London every other week. I pay aroud €80-€90 with Aerlingus to heathrow booked in advance. With Ryanair it would cost around €40-€60. But the train fare from Gatwick is £30.
It’s official eh? …. “Ryanair is yet to respond to a request for comment” Then its not official is it?
How does refusing to answer the questions of a relatively small news provider prevent an official public statement from a company CEO from being official?
I think the Journal forget sometimes just how far down the media list they are. I’d say the Tallaght Echo would get a quicker response, just to make it all, you know, ‘official’ for the Journal.
Can someone help me understand why people have such an objection to Ryanair buying Aer Lingus but are ‘discussing/thinking/whatever!’ around the idea of IAG taking it over? Whatever about Ryanair being “insert your thoughts” – at least they are our “insert your thoughts”. IAG will pull Aer Lingus apparent sometime in the next 5/7 years whereby Ryanair may at least keep it somewhat together and ran from Ireland. Its an honest question? And before anyone starts banging on about how horrible Mick O’Leary is to work for we can see they are making the changes. It is about time we looked after Ireland for once and backed one of our own. Allow Micko take Aer Lingus and use Dublin and possibly Shannon as hubs to connect Europe to America. Mean while I’m sure very tired Aer Lingus staff get a pay day, the Government is shot of it and we put it in the hands of someone who is very capable and shown what he can do. And for those of you who believe you’d swim half way, then p*ss off and get a British Airways flight. Lets get some joined up fu**ing thinking here people.
Because Ryanair buying it would monopolise the Irish market.
And? What do you think – all of a sudden he will ramp the prices of flights in/out of Ireland to 1 MILLION DOLLARS, muhhahahah! Anyone got anything better than this troll?? Would prefer to hear from real people please.
When u have a monopoly – price increasing & price fixing generally do happen. You also get a fall in standards.
Also they then will have a large say in landing rights of other carriers into Ireland as being in a position of monopoly.
Ha, I’m a troll for destroying your diatribe in a single sentence am I? It has nothing to do with what people want, Ryanair are not allowed to buy aerlingus for the reason I gave – EU antitrust blocked the acquisition because it would monopolise the Irish market. Just because you have no idea what you’re talking about doesn’t make other people trolls, it just means you’re desperately uninformed.
Did Aer Lingus not have a monopoly before Ryanair started?
Colin, yes they did, every European country had state airlines that had monopolies over local markets. We have been breaking up these monopolies since the 80s as ordered by the EU to ensure competition in the interests of consumers. That is why Ryanair attempting to monopolise the Irish market again was met with such resistance in Europe.
Egg Head is right, price will go up, routes frequency could reduce.
At least with IAG having Aer Lingus and Ryanair it puts Aer Lingus into a much better position to compete with Ryanair when they start T/A operations. In saying that Aer Lingus is in one of the best positions of all EU and US carriers to take on Ryanair.
From my understanding doesn’t the DAA say who lands and who doesn’t – also, with Dublin being a hub for T/A flights surely competition in the Irish market will not be just between Aer Lingus and Ryanair but between all the various European airlines flying in and out of Dublin. Aren’t we part of a European market now rather than an Irish market? If I want to fly to Denmark for example I look at SAS/Aer Lingus/Ryanair and Norwegian airlines for flights. These are our competitors now – not between our own airlines. Right/Wrong???
Real people agree with you ? Trolls don’t is that it ?
No Robert, the DAA do not have a say as to who operates into Dublin.
Under EU rules an airline that meets the required operational standards may apply to operate a specific route (with the eu or Atlantic market under open skies) with the national transport authority and if granted they then go into discussion with the DAA over landing slots and costs.
If it is an airline looking to operate a route which is not covered by an open skies policy such as that which exists within Europe or the Atlantic then it is down to the respective governments on the route in question (much like the upcoming Ethiopian airlines flight from addis to LA via dublin) and again has little to do with the airport operator who is simply a custodion of the facility which at the end of the day has to make money.
I am no fan of the IAG takeover of Aer Lingus as I work for an IAG company and know exactly what they are all about however it is a much preferred option to a Ryanair takeover as it would prevent a monopoly to Ireland which would kill other airlines who attempt to compete. It’s a small small market to Ireland! They would seat dump on any route with competition by offering slashed fares, kill the competition after a short time and then hike the fares when they are left as the solo carrier.
Ryanair are famous for that! Notice how we don’t have easy jet in the republic anymore!!!!
Hi Tony Stanley,
Thank you for taking the time out to provide such a detailed explanation of the aviation industry to me.
I feel a lot more empowered about the discussion now and your response is exactly the informative opinion I was looking for from someone who has obvious experience of the industry.
@theJournal, your site in my opinion would be a much more power tool for your readers if you encouraged a culture of informed and well presented comments such as Tony’s.
Egghead…..wrong……Ryanair would monopolise Shannon because it only has 1.7 million passengers annually. Most of the flights are Ryanair apart from a handful of transatlantic flights per day during the summer and 3 per day in enter….Cork has less reliance on Ryanair. 50% of Dublin’s traffic is Ryanair but most are on different routes to aerlingus.
Because Ryanair laid out their business plan last time….it involved selling off 3/4 of Aer Lingus to 2 UK airlines.
Ryanair and Aer Lingus control 80% of flights out of Ireland. Thus a takeover would create a monopoly…… which is what Ryanair was originally set up in the late 1980′s to challenge.
Fly for some part and swim for the rest?
Fantastic, let’s fly to America where our euro is worth buttons.
The dollar buys a lot in the US. A bottle of Jemmie is 10$. It doesn’t matter what the exchange rate is, you can fill a car with petrol for 30$.
…by someone on 3 euro an hour, why would you go to the third world when the USA has a permanent underclass who have no choice.
Just hope that they don’t use the narrow seating configuration on their long haul aircraft, whatever model they choose,it’s one ting to sit so cramped for a short 2 or 3 hour hop, but would be extremely annoying for the long haul.
All in all, great news, but let’s wait until they actually take delivery of their first long haul planes.
I hate flying with Ryanair but nobody’s forcing me onto the plane and competition is never a bad thing. Whilst I may choose not to fly with them they do help to lower prices on other airlines and that’s always good.
Snob!
@GMcA
Michael O’Leary freed the Irish (and a lot of other Europeans). Aer Lingus was for the “better offs” and free flight perks for their staff. He should be included in the 1916 celebrations.
Excellent, however nobody will have any cash to spend while there with the arse falling out of the euro!
Its not happening tomorrow, a few years off…
Jon, prices in the US are maybe 50% of what they are here. Eating out, a hotel room, a beer, a concert, car hire, petrol etc.. a fraction of the price of here. A bottle of Jameson is $10 in the US. A festival like Glasto which costs €300 is $80 in the US.
I was in NY last week. 3 star hotel cost from $210 a night. A bottle of beer was $6 plus tip up to $10 in clubs. Eating out for 2 people $75. You can get cheaper options just like in Ireland.
Hope you take out health insurance in US. For if you have to attend a hospital you’ll know all about bills.
Maybe about five years ago when a euro sometimes got you $1.60.. A euro only gets you about $1.04 now. Going to New York in June. Gonna be rip off central. Absolutely no value in it.
Travel insurance is dirt cheap you’d me be mad not to take it out going outside Europe.
Bad timing with the exchange rates going from bad to worse for the foreseeable future.
You realise they’ll fly both directions, right?
Lol
I should read the article properly
That gave me a giggle!
Bj, knob comment.
This was discussed further up. See my reply “… prices in the US are maybe 50% of what they are here. Eating out, a hotel room, a beer, a concert, car hire, petrol etc.. a fraction of the price of here. A bottle of Jameson is $10 in the US. A festival like Glasto which costs €300 is $80 in the US.”
I love the way O Leary takes no crap from our idiot politicians
If he was british he would be knighted
He could receive the award KBE Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Bill Gates was Knighted.
No sane person would want to be knighted nowadays. Following in the footsteps of Rolf Harris.
I was very critical of Ryanair and hadn’t used for years. But they changed, I’ve now flown with them twice since they decided to play nice and i liked it.
I think of Ryanair as being tolerable for 2, maybe 3 hours. Love you Michael you big horse owning Mullingar millionaire you, now you’re back in my life, but I still wont do that…
They will probably fly in and out of Cavan airport for Dublin….
How Barbara?
I think the shinners will make them do while wrecking economic ruination on the economy. Isn’t that right Baz?
Barbara you realise they are the largest airline and have more flight from and into Dublin airport than any other airline
Must that clown have his mouth open wide in every photo.
True! he must be starving, poor guy!
See how many snobs turn their nose up at sub €100 fares and choose to pay€300-€500 all so they can say they “wouldn’t fly Ryanair” I expect a lot of them will be eating humble pie. Keep up the good work Michael.
Maybe some… But not all. There’s no limit to the amount of money I’d pay to not have to sit on a Ryanair plane full of people who had paid less than €100 for their plane tickets..
Great news indeed, Ryanair soon to fly to an airport near the USA
Can’t source…. Means isn’t prepared to pay list price. No doubt Boeing and Airbus aren’t prepared to give discounts
Means Eithiad and emirates have tied up all the orders for years.
This is a no news story. Show me anything new in this story.
They are thinking about it.
No new news.
The Journal are peddling a non story.
Once again the dumb Irish public rave about a nothing new story.
I challenge anybody including the Journal to highlight anything new here.
Free publicity again.
Yawn Yawn
Bring it on. The sooner the better
Bring it on!
I know there must be a reason but the new Ryanair 737-800 max even when fully loaded has a range of 6,704 km and Dublin-Boston or Dublin-NY is 4,806km and 5,112km respectively.Easily within range.
Given even the 737-800 NG has been flown on transatlantic routes without ETOPS problems whats the issue other than being uncomfortable and shite?
Asleep for 3 hours or 5 hours. What’s the difference?
I don’t think I’d fancy doing transatlantic on a Ryanair configured 738.
We really have all of our self-esteem in recent years, haven’t we?. Put me in a sardine can for six hours, I’ll sleep through it. After all, I don’t deserve any better, I’m just a humble peasant. Why would I aspire to more?
*really have lost
William Grogsn p, Do you not realise that everyone in the world can read your comment and tell you that you can neither get a bottle of Jameson for a tenner or fill your car for 30 bucks. Stop making up rubbish you tool.
Official? No it’s not! When there is news of an aircraft order I’ll start to believe it! Now where’s my credit card, I fancy booking a cheap flight somewhere……
239 each way to north America? I’m pretty sure Are lingus offer a similar price to that for north America too.
Can you read Fab or are you just a pretty face? :)
Now Now William, let me step in there.. Fab, let me help you with that, the article says “Aer Lingus flights to North America from Dublin currently start from €239 each way”
Aer Lingus are screwed now unless they can get a proper investor, such as IAG, on board. The competition from Ryanair on flights to North America will be brutal for Aer Lingus’ finances.
With Ryanair set to provide trans-Atlantic services, there is no risk now that foreign direct investors in Ireland would lose direct connections between North America and Ireland in the event of an IAG takeover of Aer Lingus (it was always an absurd and unfounded suggestion that Aer Lingus would stop providing trans-Atlantic flights from Ireland if they were bought over by IAG, in any case).
Hopefully Ryanair will bring competition to transatlantic flights, great success story for a man from Dublin (Mullingar)
So by flying to America does that mean they’re going to land in Canada or Mexico and you have to find your own way to your desired destination
I can see it now.
Illegals in the USA stranded for years because they missed their ryanair return flight.
O’ Leary will get it done if that’s his goal…
Aer lingus should remain an Irish air line that want to sell it off.
And they will break it and sell it off,
It’s worth more if they break it up,
Its a fabulous company and provides a firstclass sservice and floats of jobs,
Hands off Aer lingus.
Yeah everybody’s friend,
Undercut his competitors to the bone,
And then he can screw the public for every cent with his crappy service and rude staff.
He s up to to something with his pal willie Walsh , watch this space .
5year is a long time in aviation ,a week is a long time.Just Ryanair taking control of the media as it does on this particular day .it will not seats for 10 euro etc just a classic stunt and you have people believing .
have your say