It's nearly 2am (local time) and I was just about to go to bed when Twitter-sphere lit up with reports of a series of huge explosions at an arms factory here in Khartoum.
There is speculation online that the incident was the result of an airstrike, however the government's official line is that it was an "internal" problem and no sabotage was involved.
Reports in the international media have so far shed no light on the reasons behind the explosions .
Meanwhile, comments posted on Twitter included claims that the impact had shattered windows in nearby homes and many residents were fleeing the scene.
The Yarmouk ammunitions factory is located in southern Khartoum, about 15 minutes drive from the SVP flat.
I haven't heard any explosions and the streets beneath the flat remain silent except for a few late night traders packing up for the day. In any case, I'm sure more will be revealed in coming hours.
Goodnight from my balcony here in a silent, sleepy part of Khartoum.
UPDATE:
Latest word is that last night's incident in which two people died was the result of an Israeli airstrike.
A spokesman from the Sudanese government said Israel wants to hinder the country's military development and accused Israel of using radar jamming technology to carry out the strike.
The spokesman says the government is in "confrontation" with Israel and reserves the right to respond.
Sudanese bloggers have been sceptical about their government's official resonse to the incident.
There is also speculation over whether Israel sought clearance from the U.S before carrying out the alleged missile attack on the complex, possibly motivated by Israel's belief that weapons were being smuggled into Gaza from the region.
"What happened to 'internal problem' ya ministry of defense?" tweeted one local commentator.
"Military factory in KRT allegedly bombed by Israel. World yawns. Sudan hits rock bottom. Wait, we hit it long ago. Currently digging a hole," quipped another.
Meanwhile, Israel isn't saying either way.
...The plot thickens
There is speculation online that the incident was the result of an airstrike, however the government's official line is that it was an "internal" problem and no sabotage was involved.
Reports in the international media have so far shed no light on the reasons behind the explosions .
Meanwhile, comments posted on Twitter included claims that the impact had shattered windows in nearby homes and many residents were fleeing the scene.
The Yarmouk ammunitions factory is located in southern Khartoum, about 15 minutes drive from the SVP flat.
I haven't heard any explosions and the streets beneath the flat remain silent except for a few late night traders packing up for the day. In any case, I'm sure more will be revealed in coming hours.
Goodnight from my balcony here in a silent, sleepy part of Khartoum.
UPDATE:
Latest word is that last night's incident in which two people died was the result of an Israeli airstrike.
A spokesman from the Sudanese government said Israel wants to hinder the country's military development and accused Israel of using radar jamming technology to carry out the strike.
The spokesman says the government is in "confrontation" with Israel and reserves the right to respond.
Sudanese bloggers have been sceptical about their government's official resonse to the incident.
There is also speculation over whether Israel sought clearance from the U.S before carrying out the alleged missile attack on the complex, possibly motivated by Israel's belief that weapons were being smuggled into Gaza from the region.
"What happened to 'internal problem' ya ministry of defense?" tweeted one local commentator.
"Military factory in KRT allegedly bombed by Israel. World yawns. Sudan hits rock bottom. Wait, we hit it long ago. Currently digging a hole," quipped another.
Meanwhile, Israel isn't saying either way.
...The plot thickens
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