Sudan security forces kill five anti-coup protesters medics say

Security forces fire live ammunition and use tear gas as tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators rally in Khartoum and elsewhere.

Sudanese security forces firing live bullets and tear gas have killed five anti-coup protesters and wounded dozens of others during a crackdown on renewed pro-democracy protests, according to an independent union of medics.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said on Saturday four people were killed by gunshots and one from a tear gas canister in the capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman, adding that many others were wounded as demonstrators were “facing excessive repression using all forms of force, including live bullets”.

It said that an 18-year-old and a 35-year-old were among those killed “by bullets of the putschist military council”.

Security forces stormed one hospital in Omdurman and detained several of the wounded, the doctors added.

Pascal Cuttat, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross’s delegation in Sudan, said in a Twitter post that medical assistance should not be obstructed.

“The passage of ambulances must be allowed, the work of medical professionals must be facilitated and the injured must have access to the care they need,” he said. “The medical mission has to be protected.”

Sudanese police said Saturday’s demonstrations were peaceful but quickly got off track, state television reported. Police said 39 police officers were seriously injured after protesters attacked police stations.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES