Keyboard shortcuts are available for common actions and site navigation.
You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more
#SudanUprising Dec. 31 thread: As police fired tear gas and live ammunition at peaceful demonstrators in Khartoum, wounding at least four people, Sudanese observers on the ground wondered about the significance of Russian military trucks spotted in the capital. (1)
On Dec. 31, hundreds of Sudanese professionals -- including medical doctors, teachers, and engineers -- gathered to march at 1:00 p.m. local time in central Khartoum, near the intersection of Abdel Moneim Mohammed Street and Sayed Abdul Rahman Avenue. #SudanUprising (2)
The demonstrators gathered peacefully to call for an end to the Bashir regime, and the release of students, medical doctors, journalists, and opposition leaders who have been snatched up recently in mass arrests. #SudanUprising (3)
The peaceful protesters marched toward the Republican Palace, chanting, "Freedom, peace, and justice" and "Revolution is the people's choice." Police and security forces blocked their path, firing tear gas and live ammunition, wounding at least four. #SudanUprising (4)
For the past several days, observers have reported death squads in Khartoum, coordinated by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). Photos and videos appear to corroborate these eyewitness reports. #SudanUprising (5)
Armed men in mismatched camouflage uniforms and boots, some wearing grey, brown, or red-and-white keffiyeh to mask their faces, can be seen deliberately shooting at civilians and arresting students. #SudanUprising (6)
These forces, some carrying AK-47s, appear to be members of the Amen Shabei -- former members of the Popular Defence Forces who volunteer to support NISS. #SudanUprising (7)pic.twitter.com/KXoeK890zv
Multiple images taken at these scenes show Toyota pickup trucks without license plates, as is typical of the trucks driven by NISS. #SudanUprising (8)
Several images, taken at different locations where these forces have appeared, show a green camouflage Toyota pickup accompanied by a white Toyota pickup with a red stripe along its side. #SudanUprising (9)pic.twitter.com/3CaUSpwFTB
Some of the Amen Shabei forces riding in these trucks are equipped with batons, helmets, and clear shields for use in crowd control. Sometimes, they stash their batons and shields behind the truck cabs. #SudanUprising (10)pic.twitter.com/UWGv5u4mro
Observers reported that before the Dec. 31 protest, some 20 people -- described as Europeans dressed in civilian clothes, carrying small cameras -- disembarked from a Russian military truck on Abdel Moneim Mohammed Street, and walked south, toward the rally. #SudanUprising (12)
Some observers reported that these were media monitors; others noted that they were mostly young, physically fit, White men, who wore no press vests, and did not appear to be carrying large video cameras. #SudanUprising (13)
NISS agents did not appear to be closely monitoring the group from the Russian military truck, as is usual when foreign correspondents cover Khartoum. #SudanUprising (14)
Photo: A group of White people described as Europeans with small cameras debarked from a Russian military truck in Khartoum and headed toward the demonstration on Dec. 31.pic.twitter.com/uK0FiUMXJ0
Photos of the truck show what appears to be a light-brown, Ural-4320, all-wheel-drive, two-door cab, 6x6 truck in troop transport mode, similar to trucks used by the Russian military, and by Russian private military contractors. #SudanUprisingpic.twitter.com/3qFhncq9UA
Were any other groups of white men seen or just this singular sighting?
Same type of Russian military truck carrying armed White men in green camo uniforms, speaking Russian, photographed on Dec. 26 near Aman Petroleum Station in Khartoum. Same type of truck also photographed several other times in Khartoum last week and this week. #SudanUprisingpic.twitter.com/3zLkYjqLdJ
Same type...? So it could be the same truck theoretically?
It’s a rather vague list of facts linked -almost as a stream of consciousness - only by suspicion. There’ve been aimed head shots, the govt has used sharpshooters. Wagner Group may have personnel in Khartoum - but likely linked to something else they are doing in Sudan. And so..?
The lone, armed men on the rooftops in Khartoum do not appear to be trained, experienced sniper teams or sharpshooters. They do not dress as snipers, carry sniper equipment apart from scoped guns, behave like snipers, or shoot with the accuracy of snipers.
That’s what I think too. Some of the figures seen on rooftops in the photos have turned out to be security guards from the offices they worked in, others could just be police spotters. But people are clearly being targeted with head shots.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.
