Attack on Sudanese Southeastern Village Kills 80

Sudanese who have fled fighting in Sennar state at a displacement camp in the country's east, in July - AFP
Sudanese who have fled fighting in Sennar state at a displacement camp in the country's east, in July - AFP
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Attack on Sudanese Southeastern Village Kills 80

Sudanese who have fled fighting in Sennar state at a displacement camp in the country's east, in July - AFP
Sudanese who have fled fighting in Sennar state at a displacement camp in the country's east, in July - AFP

Sudanese Rapid Support Forces killed at least 80 people in a southeastern village, a medical source and witnesses said Friday, even as US-sponsored talks sought to end 16 months of devastating war.

The assault occurred in Jalgini village in the state of Sennar on Thursday.

"We received 55 dead and dozens of wounded at the hospital on Thursday, and 25 of them died on Friday, bringing the death toll to 80," a source at Jalgini's medical centre told AFP.

A survivor said the forces had initially faced resistance from local villagers before returning in full force.

"Yesterday morning, three military vehicles attacked Jalgini. The residents resisted, prompting the retreat of the forces, who then returned with dozens of vehicles," a Jalgini resident, who took his wounded son to the hospital, told AFP.

"They opened fire, torching homes and killing numerous people," said the man, who asked not to be named.

"On Friday, some bodies were still strewn on the street."

 



Blinken Heading to Israel to Press Gaza Truce

FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
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Blinken Heading to Israel to Press Gaza Truce

FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel this weekend to push forward a Gaza ceasefire deal as the United States tries to bridge the gaps in talks in the region, the State Department said.

Blinken will leave Saturday and seek to "conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees through the bridging proposal" presented Friday during talks in Doha by the United States, a State Department statement said.

President Joe Biden earlier Friday said that "we are closer than we have ever been" to a ceasefire in the 10-month-old Gaza war after two days of talks in the Qatari capital Doha.

"This is kind of the final stage -- the end game of the process," a senior US official told reporters on customary condition of anonymity, AFP reported.

The State Department statement said the proposal "would achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, ensure humanitarian assistance is distributed throughout Gaza and create the conditions for broader regional stability."

"Secretary Blinken will underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalize an agreement," it said.

It will be the ninth trip by Blinken to the Middle East since October 7.