The following is a timeline of the War in Sudan (2023).
This timeline is a dynamic and fluid list, and as such may never satisfy criteria of completeness. Moreover, some events may only be fully understood and/or discovered in retrospect.
April 2023
15 April
Khartoum
The RSF launched attacks on multiple SAF bases across the country, including in the capital Khartoum. At 12:00 (CAT), RSF forces claimed to have captured Khartoum International Airport, Merowe Airport, El Obeid Airport as well as a base in Soba. Clashes between the RSF and the SAF erupted at the Presidential Palace and at the residence of de facto leader and SAF commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with both sides claiming control over the two sites.
In response, the SAF announced the closure of all airports in the country. and the Sudanese Air Force conducted airstrikes on RSF positions in Khartoum with artillery fire being heard in parts of the city.
Elsewhere in Khartoum clashes were reported at the headquarters of the state broadcaster Sudan TV. The channel halted a news bulletin after the presenter began reading an item about the situation in Khartoum with gunshots being heard in the background and switched the programming to music. Eyewitnesses and Al Arabiya later reported that the TV station was captured by RSF forces. Bridges and roads in Khartoum were closed and checkpoints set up. The RSF claimed that all roads heading south of Khartoum have been closed.
At Khartoum International Airport, multiple aircraft belonging to Saudia, Badr Airlines, and SkyUp Airlines among others were reported to be damaged according to Flightradar24. Saudia later confirmed that one of its aircraft, an Airbus, came under fire before take-off at the airport and that it had evacuated all passengers, crew and staff to the Saudi embassy. It, along with EgyptAir and Qatar Airways also suspended all flights to and from Sudan.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hemedti accused Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of forcing the RSF to begin confrontations and accused SAF commanders of scheming to bring deposed leader Omar al-Bashir back to power. On Twitter, Hemedti called for the international community to intervene against Burhan, claiming that the RSF was fighting against radical militants.
Darfur
Clashes erupted in the capital of North Darfur state, Al-Fashir, while Nyala Airport in South Darfur was shelled. In Al-Fashir, clashes were ongoing using light and heavy weapons with RSF forces trying to capture the airport and other buildings. RSF forces claimed to have captured the airport, and the Signal Corps and Medical Corps headquarters in Al-Fashir. Clashes erupted in Zalingei in Central Darfur.
Elsewhere
Later in the day, the SAF claimed that RSF forces in White Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Nyala, Port Sudan, Kadugli, Damazin and Kosti had surrendered and that the RSF camps of Taiba and Soba had been destroyed.
16 April
SAF
The Khartoum State Security Committee declared a public holiday in the city "in order to preserve lives of citizens and their property". At around 13:30 (CAT), the SAF announced the rescue of a major general and a brigadier, the arrests of multiple RSF officers at Merowe Airport and the taking of the airport itself, while also claiming that multiple RSF leaders had deserted or surrendered to SAF. SAF officials also claimed that RSF members had fled Merowe Airport with Egyptian soldiers being taken as prisoners.
The Sudan Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of the country's airspace as well as that of parts of South Sudan that it also manages due to 'security reasons.' Telecommunications provider MTN shut down internet services across the country after orders from the Sudanese telecommunications regulator were given. Sudan TV also completely halted its broadcasts, and a local news website reported that clashes had taken place within the headquarters of the station and that its control room "was bombed". Reuters cited staff as saying that the authorities had cut transmissions to prevent broadcasting by RSF forces. Attacks were also reported at facilities of Sudan Railways.
The Chadian Army stopped and disarmed a contingent of 320 Sudanese soldiers who had entered the country from Darfur while fleeing the RSF.