By Khalid Abdelaziz

KHARTOUM, (Reuters) – Security forces killed at least 15 people while wounding dozens more as hundreds of thousands took to the streets in protest against the military regime on Wednesday. This was the most violent day of a month’s demonstrations, according to medics.

Protesters marched against the October 25 coup in Khartoum, the capital, and the cities of Bahri, Omdurman. They demanded that civilian authorities be fully handed over and that the coup leaders be tried.

Live rounds were fired and tear gas used to disperse protesters in the three cities. Witnesses also reported that mobile phones were not able to communicate with each other. Police and protesters were both injured, according to State Television.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said that the coup forces had used live bullets in several areas of capital. Some of these victims are in very serious condition. They claimed that the majority of deaths occurred in Bahri.

A witness to Reuters said that protestors built large barricades and blocked traffic streets.

An Omdurman protester said, “People are afraid right now.”

An earlier protestor group burned tires on Khartoum’s main road and shouted: “The people will be stronger than you, so retreating is not possible.”

Some others carried photos of victims of previous protests, as well as Abdalla Hamdok the civilian prime minster who was under house arrest following the coup.

Social media has posted images of protests taking place in several towns, including Geneina, Kassala and Dongola.

Witnesses said that security forces were deployed heavily on major roads and intersections. Bridges across the River Nile were also closed.

The security forces did not immediately comment and no representative of the police could be reached to comment. General Abdel Fatah al Burhan, the military leader, said that peaceful demonstrations were allowed. The military also does not execute protesters.

ARRESTS

A transitional partnership of the military with a civil coalition was ended by the coup that saw Omar al-Bashir, an autocrat, be overthrown in 2019.

Even though Western countries have demanded economic aid, mediation efforts have been stymied. Burhan is now trying to control the situation with Bashir-era veterans’ help, despite pressure.

Speaking in Kenya, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “We back (the Sudanese people’s) call to restore Sudan’s democratic transition,” saying the country had been on a path towards stability and that he was “engaged intensely” in the matter.

Protesters as well a Reuters witness claimed they witnessed security forces following protesters to their homes in pursuit of them.

One demonstrator said that violence had never been like this in Bahri, even during the previous regime. He said that the atmosphere was filled with tear gas, and security personnel used live bullets until Wednesday night.

The Sudanese Professionals Association said that the coup forces were promoting the protests by encircling them in many areas.

“This was preceded in part by the deliberate disruption of voice and internet communications.”

Since Oct. 25, mobile internet in Sudan has been stopped, complicating an ongoing campaign of strikes, anti-military demonstrations and civil disobedience.

In a joint statement, the doctors’ committee and other unions stated that security forces tried to invade Omdurman’s hospital and then surrounded it. They released tear gas and blocked patients’ access. Demonstrators said the same thing happened in Bahri hospitals.

With Wednesday’s deaths, the death toll for the committee since the coup has reached 39.

In a tweet, Assembly Clement Voule (UN special rapporteur for Freedom of Association and Peaceful), stated that “Military commanders” will be accountable.