Sudanese army chief Gen Burhan has survived a drone attack

Sudanese military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has survived an assassination attempt, a military spokesman told the BBC.

Nabil Abdallah blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a military force that has been fighting for control of the country for 16 months.

He said two drones attacked a military graduation ceremony and killed five people in a camp in Jabait in the east – an area under the military.

RSF did not comment on the attack, which came after General Burhan’s government agreed to take part in peace talks with the US next month.

Previous talks to end the conflict, which has caused the biggest crisis in the world, failed as both sides refused to honor their commitments.

More than 10 million people have fled their homes since their neighbors clashed over an internationally-backed political plan to transition to civilian rule.

The Jabait military base is about 100km (62 miles) from Port Sudan, the military capital and where Gen Burhan is based.

A video from those who attended the ceremony on Wednesday morning is being circulated showing military graduates marching in ceremonial dress before the strike.

“The only group that is against the Sudanese people and targeting the Sudanese people is the Ashesha Amasaza rebels,” General Abdallah told the BBC.

He thanked God that Gen Burhan “and all the commanders present are healthy” and that not many were seriously injured.

The Beja people, who live in this area between the mountains and the coast of the Red Sea, used to have a bad relationship with those who ruled for the past few decades – often feeling neglected and discriminated against.

These communities are often at odds, but tend to support Gen Burhan – despite anger about the rising cost of living in Port Sudan due to the influx of people fleeing the capital, Khartoum.

Only the army and the RSF have access to drones, which are widely used by both sides.

In the past few months, there have been allegations that different factions in the army are at loggerheads.

Some analysts point to an incident during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in April when some commanders of the army known as Abaraa Ibn Malik were killed by drone strikes in the northeastern town of Atbara.

The group is likely to be targeted by moderates within the military itself as it is seen as a hard-line Islamist who opposes peace talks, analysts said.

However, some suggest that the RSF has been using drones to target military-controlled areas.

According to Reuters, the RSF controls eight of Sudan’s 18 capitals, including Khartoum, and is advancing in the southeast of the country.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sudan requested a meeting with American officials before the talks that will begin in Geneva on August 14.

RSF accepted the American invitation shortly after it was proposed last week.