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Attempted assassination of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

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Attempted assassination of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Part of the Sudanese civil war
Al-Burhan in 2019
Date30 July 2024; 3 months ago (2024-07-30)
LocationJubayt, Red Sea State, Sudan
TypeDrone strike
TargetAbdel Fattah al-Burhan
ParticipantsUnknown
Deaths5

On July 30, 2024, the de facto ruler of Sudan and concurrent chairman of its Transitional Sovereignty Council and head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was targeted in an assassination attempt using drones at a military graduation ceremony in Jubayt, Red Sea State in eastern Sudan. He survived.[1]

Background

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Main article: Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

On April 15, 2023, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched attacks against al-Burhan's government, triggering a civil war.[2] Al-Burhan was pinned down at SAF headquarters in the capital Khartoum until August 2023, when an SAF operation enabled him to evacuate to Port Sudan, where he has been based since then.[3][4]

Attack

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al-Burhan was attending a ceremony at a military base in Jubayt, Red Sea State. Two drones struck the facility after the ceremony ended, killing five people and injuring several others.[5][6] The dead consisted of two of al-Burhan's bodyguards and three military cadets.[7] al-Burhan, believed to be the main target, survived and was evacuated.[8] According to SAF spokesperson Nabil Abdallah, he was unharmed.[9]

The assassination attempt was carried out a day after the Sudanese foreign ministry announced that it would participate in talks with the RSF in Switzerland in August. The RSF claimed that they are open to negotiations with the junta but not with Islamists being part of the civil service.[10]

Responsibility

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The SAF blamed the RSF for the attack, but the latter denied responsibility and blamed Islamists,[11][12] particularly the El Baraa Ibn Malik Brigade[7] as part of infighting between the SAF and its allies.[1] The SAF later said that it had determined the exact location from where the drones were launched.[13]

Aftermath

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Following the attempted assassination, al-Burhan addressed the audience at the ceremony,[7] saying that he ruled out negotiations with the RSF and that "We will not retreat, we will not surrender, and we will not negotiate."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Sudan's military leader survives drone strikes - army". BBC News. 31 July 2024.
  2. ^ "At least 25 killed, 183 injured in ongoing clashes across Sudan as paramilitary group claims control of presidential palace". CNN. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Sudan's Al-Burhan heads first cabinet meeting since conflict erupted". africanews. 29 August 2023. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Al-Burhan inspects Sudanese troops in Omdurman following repelled RSF attack". Sudan Tribune. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Sudan: General Al Burhan survives drone assassination attempt in Gebit". Agenzia Nova. 31 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Sudan's military says its top commander survived a drone strike that killed 5 at an army ceremony". AP News. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Sudan's El Burhan defiant after surviving drone strike". Radio Dabanga. 31 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Sudan Army Chief Evacuated After Deadly Drone Strike On Base: Witnesses". Barron's. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Sudan army reports failed assassination bid on junta head". African Press Agency. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Sudan: Army chief Burhan survives assassination attempt". Middle East Monitor. 31 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Drone strike hits east Sudan base during visit by army chief". Reuters. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  12. ^ Dahir, Abdi Latif (31 July 2024). "Drones Target Sudan Army Base During Top General's Visit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  13. ^ "'We've found launch site for El Burhan drone strike,' Sudan army chief claims". Radio Dabanga. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
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