VIDEO: Clashes Continue in Sudan, Casualties and Approximately 600 Injured

Clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the regular army in Sudan's capital Khartoum have continued until early Sunday morning, resulting in at least 56 deaths and around 600 injuries, according to AFP.

Witnesses report explosions and gunfire in the deserted streets of Khartoum after the RSF declared that they have taken control of the presidential residence, Khartoum airport, and other vital facilities. The army has denied these claims, and the Sudanese Air Force called on the population not to leave their homes, as they continue to carry out airstrikes on RSF bases.

There were reported clashes on Saturday near the state media building in Omdurman, Khartoum's sister city. Other witnesses recounted fighting occurring in the Darfur region and elsewhere.

Chad, which borders Darfur, announced it would close its border due to “this dangerous situation.” The violence flared following an escalation of weeks-long tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged both sides to return to negotiations. The Arab League, at the request of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, will hold an urgent meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Sudan. Similar calls have been made from African and Arab blocs, as well as the European Union, France, Italy, Russia, and Iran.