At least 15 Sudanese protesters were shot dead and dozens more wounded, medics said, when thousands rallied Wednesday against last month's coup, chanting "no to military power" amid clouds of tear gas.
The fatalities – all in Khartoum, especially its northern districts – raised to 39 the death toll from unrest since the military seized power, a pro-democracy doctors' union said. Hundreds more have been wounded, according to AFP.
The protesters, marching in neighborhoods across the capital and its twin cities of Bahri and Omdurman, demanded a full handover to civilian authorities and for the leaders of the Oct. 25 coup to be tried in court.
Security forces fired live bullets and tear gas after mobile phone communications were cut earlier in the day, witnesses said.
"The people choose civilian rule," demonstrators chanted, also shouting slogans against Sudan's ruler, top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
On one main road in Khartoum, protesters burned tires 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 placed under house arrest during the coup, with the slogan: "Legitimacy comes from the street, not from the cannons."
Images of protests in towns and cities including Port Sudan, Kassala, Dongola, Wad Madani and Geneina were posted on social media.
Security forces were heavily deployed on main roads and intersections, using tear gas to prevent gatherings, witnesses said. Bridges across the River Nile were closed.
There was no immediate comment from security forces. Burhan has previously said peaceful protests are allowed and that the military does not kill protesters.
The coup ended a transitional partnership between the military and a civilian coalition that helped topple president 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.
Heavy tear gas
One demonstrator in Bahri said the air was thick with tear gas and that security forces were using rubber and live bullets.
"The main meeting points were completely occupied by security forces," said the demonstrator, who asked not to be identified.
A resistance committee member said protesters aimed to wear down security forces by meeting in different locations, constructing barriers and regrouping after being dispersed.
"The coup forces are practicing 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 the coup. This has complicated a campaign of anti-military rallies, strikes and civil disobedience.
The Sudanese Congress Party, which was part of the military and civilian coalition, said one of its leaders had been arrested following a raid on his house.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands turned out across Sudan to protest against the coup. Medics said seven people were killed by security forces.
