ABU DHABI: The UAE has condemned an attack that targeted the residence of its head of mission in Khartoum by a Sudanese army aircraft, which resulted in extensive damage to the building.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that it would submit a formal letter to the League of Arab States, the African Union and the UN reporting the attack.

The UAE stressed the importance of protecting diplomatic buildings and embassy staff residences, in accordance with the treaties and customs that regulate diplomatic relations.

“The UAE has called on the army to assume full responsibility for this cowardly act,” it added, describing it as a “flagrant violation of the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic premises.”

The Sudanese army responded that it “condemns and denies the accusation” by the UAE, adding that “it does not target the headquarters of diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies or voluntary organizations and does not turn them into military bases and loot their assets.”

A statement said: “The one that carries out these heinous and cowardly actions is the terrorist, rebel militia (RSF) … supported in committing all this by countries known to the world.”

According to eyewitnesses in Khartoum, heavy clashes have raged in several parts of the capital for the past four days in a major flare-up of hostilities.