The death toll continues to rise

Reuters news agency cited figures from the doctors' union in Sudan on the morning of April 17, saying that clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over the past two days have killed at least 97 civilians and injured more than 590.

*WHO warns hospitals are running out of emergency supplies

*UN Secretary General urges "justice" for victims

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that some hospitals in the capital Khartoum, which receive civilians injured in the fighting, are running low on supplies of blood, transfusion equipment, fluids and other emergency equipment.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 16 condemned the fighting in Sudan that killed dozens of civilians, including three World Food Programme (WFP) staff in North Darfur, and called for quick justice for the victims.

UN Secretary-General Guterres also called on all parties in Sudan to immediately cease hostilities and return to dialogue, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. The UN Secretary-General stressed his commitment to working with regional leaders and all parties in Sudan to find a solution to the crisis. In addition, Secretary-General Guterres also called on “all parties to respect international law, including the obligation to ensure the safety and security of all UN personnel and assets.”

Diplomatic sources said the UN Security Council plans to meet behind closed doors on April 17 to discuss the situation in Sudan.

The situation in Sudan has raised concerns in the region. Neighboring countries Egypt and Chad have closed their borders with Sudan while airlines from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have suspended flights to Sudan. The African Union (AU), the Arab League (AL), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD, of which Sudan is a member) and the international community have condemned the violence and called for dialogue to find a solution to the current crisis.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry on April 16 called on the Algerian community in Sudan to "be vigilant and follow the security instructions issued by the local authorities and to maintain regular contact with the Algerian Embassy services to receive the necessary support and assistance." In addition, the Algerian Foreign Ministry stated that so far no casualties have been recorded among the Algerian community in Sudan.

News and photos: VNA

African countries call for end to fighting in Sudan

According to regional and international media, fighting between the Sudanese army and the armed faction of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the center of the capital Khartoum has increased in intensity after the conflicting parties agreed to open safe humanitarian routes for a few hours on April 16.

Fierce fighting breaks out in Sudan

According to Reuters, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the main paramilitary force in Sudan, announced on April 15 that it had taken control of several key areas in the capital Khartoum, including the Presidential Palace.

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