As battle for Sudan rages on, civilian deaths top 500
CBSN
Gunfire and heavy artillery fire persisted Saturday in parts of Sudan's capital Khartoum, residents said, despite the extension of a cease-fire between the country's two top generals, whose battle for power has killed hundreds and sent thousands fleeing for their lives. Meanwhile, the first operation is underway to free U.S. civilians trapped in Sudan, with several hundred Americans preparing to sail to safety.
More than 500 people have been killed and thousands wounded since the fight for the capital began two weeks ago, leading to an exodus from Africa's third largest country. CBS News has confirmed that Americans left the capital of Khartoum on Friday in a convoy of 18 buses, embarking on a drive that took 12 hours to the coast. The plan is to sail them across the Red Sea to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Khartoum, a city of some 5 million people, has been transformed into a front line in the grinding conflict between Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, the commander of Sudan's military, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the powerful paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces, which has dashed once-euphoric hopes of Sudan's democratic transition.
