Despite news reports, fighting is still sporadically occurring in North Khartoum (a suburb of the capital) and other areas. It’s very dangerous due to the sporadic nature of the fighting. A curfew is still in effect which is why the streets are so quite.

SIM operates a ‘guest house’ from Khartoum openly. We also have friends with another mission who were planning to actually leave already but have been delayed now b/c of the insecurity and the airport shutdown.

We received this email recently from a friend:

… things are getting heated and there is more conflict than actually reported in the news!!!! The curfew is still on and no one can leave their homes. With no running water and steady flow of electricity, it is very hard on everyone. The main airport and all the bridges are closed. No one is allowed on the streets that is why when you see photos in the news, it may look deceivingly peaceful. The news is not showing the places where the heavy fighting is occurring. The attacks are more sporadic and unorganized, which makes it more dangerous since they involve civilians. The Janjweed are in many more places (spread out) in Khartoum, Omderman and Khartoum North with heavy artillery than initially reported by the government. The Janjweed made it very clear that they will not stop before they take over the government. So in simple words unless the Lord intervenes very soon it may become more of genocide like Darfur, but this time it will be in Khartoum. So far 129 reported casualties are reported (but add many more because the attacks were non stop since yesterday).

Read more about it at CNN.com.