KHARTOUM: Security forces shot dead at least 15 people and wounded dozens as thousands of Sudanese took to the streets on Wednesday on the deadliest day in a month of demonstrations against military rule, medics said.
The protesters, marching against an Oct. 25 coup across the capital Khartoum and in the cities of Bahri and Omdurman, demanded a full handover to civilian authorities and for the leaders of the Oct. 25 coup to be put on trial.
Security forces fired live rounds and tear gas to prevent gatherings in all three cities, and mobile phone communications were cut, witnesses said. State television said there were injuries among protesters and police.
"The coup forces used live bullets heavily in different areas of the capital and there are tens of gunshot injuries, some of them in serious condition," said the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, a group aligned with the protest movement. Deaths were concentrated in Bahri, they said.
In response, protesters built extensive barricades, emptying the streets of traffic, a Reuters witness said.
"People are just terrified right now," said an Omdurman protester.
Earlier, on a main road in Khartoum, protesters burned tyres and chanted: "The people are stronger, and retreat is impossible."
Others carried pictures of people killed in previous protests and of Abdalla Hamdok, the civilian prime minister who was put under house arrest during the coup, with the slogan: "Legitimacy comes from the street, not from the cannons."
Images of protests in towns including Port Sudan, Kassala, Dongola, Wad Madani and Geneina were posted on social media.
Security forces were heavily deployed on main roads and intersections, and bridges across the River Nile were closed, witnesses said.
There was no immediate comment from the security forces and a police representative could not be reached for comment. Military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has said peaceful protests are allowed and the military does not kill protesters.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee said in a tweet: "I am saddened by reports of violence and loss of life today in Sudan. We condemn violence towards peaceful protesters and call for the respect and protection of human rights in Sudan."
Phee met Hamdok during a visit to Khartoum on Tuesday where they discussed ways to restore Sudan's democratic transition.
ARRESTS
The coup ended a transitional partnership between the military and a civilian coalition that helped topple autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Despite pressure from Western states, which have suspended economic assistance, efforts at mediation have stalled, with Burhan moving to cement control with help from Bashir-era veterans.
Speaking in Kenya, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said "We back (the Sudanese people's) call to restore Sudan’s democratic transition," adding that the country had been on a path towards stability and that he was "engaged intensely" in the matter.
Protesters and a Reuters witness said they saw security forces chase protesters into neighbourhoods and homes to carry out arrests.
"We haven't ever had violence in Bahri like today's, even under the old regime," said one demonstrator, who said the air was thick with tear gas and security forces used live bullets into Wednesday night.
"The coup forces are practising excessive repression and are encircling the revolutionaries' marches in several areas," said the Sudanese Professionals Association, which has helped promote the protests.
"This was preceded by the deliberate interruption of voice and internet communications services."
Mobile internet services in Sudan have been suspended since Oct. 25, complicating a campaign of anti-military rallies, strikes and civil disobedience.
The doctors' committee and other unions said in a statement that security forces had tried to raid one hospital in Omdurman and were surrounding another, releasing tear gas and blocking patients' access. The same was witnessed at hospitals in Bahri, said a demonstrator.
Wednesday's deaths brought the committee's death toll since the coup to 39 people.
"Military commanders will be held accountable for these abuses," said the U.N. special rapporteur on Freedom of Association and Peaceful, Assembly Clement Voule, in a tweet.
Reuters
Thu Nov 18 2021
Protesters carry a banner and national flags as they march against the Sudanese military's recent seizure of power and ousting of the civilian government, in the streets of the capital Khartoum, Sudan. - REUTERS
Lima lelaki dipenjara 36 tahun, 12 sebatan bunuh rakan
Kesemua tertuduh didakwa membunuh Nik Mohamad Sharulanuar Nek Der di Kampung Raja, Besut pada Jun 2017.
Penantian berakhir, pemasangan Starlink beri kelegaan buat Orang Asli Kerling
Sebelum ini, kampung itu tidak menerima isyarat liputan daripada syarikat telekomunikasi sekali gus memaksa mereka keluar ke jalan besar.
Kemampanan penting dalam tangani isu perubahan iklim, bukan sekat perdagangan bebas - Tengku Zafrul
Prasyarat hijau tidak boleh digunakan sebagai halangan bukan tarif atau menjadi mekanisme imperialisme ekologi zaman moden.
Pusat hiburan dibaling bom petrol
Rakaman kamera litar tertutup (CCTV) di lokasi kejadian memaparkan empat individu menaiki motosikal di hadapan pusat hiburan terbabit.
Turkiye: 190 penumpang berdepan detik cemas tayar pesawat pancit semasa mendarat
Semua 190 penumpang selamat dipindahkan susulan insiden kecemasan kira-kira 11 pagi waktu tempatan itu.
Korea Selatan sasar kerjasama ketenteraan dengan Malaysia naik taraf K200 IFV
Korea Selatan menyatakan minat untuk bekerjasama dengan Malaysia bagi menaik taraf armada Kenderaan Tempur Infantri K200 (IFV).
Wai Ching 'hangatkan' Larian Menara Naza
Selepas menawan puncak Menara Taipei 101 baru-baru ini, pelari menara nombor satu dunia Soh Wai Ching mengesahkan penyertaan pada Larian Menara Naza.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Kerajaan buat kerja, bukan cari populariti - Amirudin
Kata Amirudin, pembangkang hanya menjual isu-isu tertentu bagi mencari perhatian, khususnya pada musim pilihan raya.
Sarawak sasar juara keseluruhan Sukma XXI di Bumi Kenyalang
Abang Johari berkata, 9,927 atlet terpilih membawa cabaran Sarawak pada temasya dwitahunan itu harus tetapkan matlamat untuk capai kejayaan.
Serangan Rafah: Rakyat Palestin ratapi pemergian orang tersayang
Penduduk Palestin mengadakan solat jenazah untuk mereka yang terkorban di Rafah pada Khamis, ketika Israel meneruskan serangan di selatan Gaza.
Pertempuran sengit meletus di Khartoum menjelang Aidiladha
Pertempuran sengit meletus antara Tentera Sudan dan pasukan separa tentera Rapid Support Forces (RSF) di Khartoum ibu negara Sudan pada Selasa, menjelang Aidiladha.
50 rakyat Filipina tinggalkan Sudan melalui jalan darat
Sebuah bas yang membawa kira-kira 50 rakyat Filipina telah pun meninggalkan Khartoum, ibu negara Sudan, menuju ke utara dekat dengan sempadan Mesir.
Switzerland tutup kedutaan di Khartoum, petugas dipindahkan
Switzerland telah pun menutup operasi kedutaan di Khartoum atas faktor keselamatan dan pertempuran bersenjata yang berlarutan di Sudan.
Konflik Sudan: AS, Perancis mula pindahkan petugas kedutaan
Ia berikutan pertempuran yang berterusan antara Angkatan Tentera Sudan dan pasukan separa tentera Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Konflik Sudan: Thailand sedang buat persiapan untuk pindahkan rakyatnya
Thailand sedang membuat persiapan termasuk bekerjasama dengan kedutaan dan organisasi antarabangsa yang berkaitan mengenai kemungkinan untuk memindahkan rakyat Thailand yang berada di Sudan.
Petronas sahkan semua kakitangan di Sudan selamat
Kenyataan pada Ahad itu juga memaklumkan kakitangan kumpulan Petronas selamat di kediaman masing-masing atau berada di luar negara.
Singa terlalu kurus di Khartoum, pasukan Four Paws tiba beri bantuan
Beberapa keping foto yang menunjukkan beberapa ekor singa dalam keadaan terlalu kurus tular di media sosial sehingga mencetuskan kemarahan.
5 perkara anda perlu tahu tentang krisis politik di Sudan
Omar dijangka dihadapkan ke mahkamah minggu hadapan atas tuduhan salah guna kuasa, rasuah serta pemilikan mata wang asing.
Terserah pelajar mahu pulang atau tidak, kata Duta Malaysia ke Sudan
Keadaan di Khartoum setakat ini masih terkawal namun pihak keduataan bimbang situasi akan lebih buruk dalam tempoh singkat.