(Nairobi, Kenya) – Armed clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an independent military force, erupted on the morning of April 15, 2023, in heavily populated parts of the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other cities including in the Darfur region. The use of heavy weaponry, including tanks, artillery, and jet aircraft, have been reported in the capital. The clashes follow weeks of rising tensions between the two forces over security force reform during negotiations for a new transitional government and was preceded the SAF and RAF jointly overthrowing Sudan's transitional government in October 2021.