Protesters killed, wounded in Sudan after security forces raid sit-in

SANAA, April 9 (YPA) –  At least two people were shot dead by police on Tuesday morning when security forces tried to break up protesters’ sit-ins in front of the Army’s General Command in Khartoum, Sudanese medical sources said.

The opposition in a statement on its Facebook page said that the security services used live bullets in an attempt to break the sit-in, killing two people and injuring several others, including soldiers, noting that some of them were seriously injured.

Clashes between soldiers of the Sudanese army and security forces have reportedly broken out during the last attempt to disperse the protesters’ sit-in front of the army’s General command by force and firing bullets and tear gas at them, according to Reuters agency.

The security forces were trying to disperse the sit-in by force using bullets and gas canisters, the agency quoted demonstrators as saying.

The Sudanese professionals called on the Sudanese in Khartoum to come out to join demonstrators in the protest.

It also called for the use of loudspeakers in mosques to urge everyone to come out and support the protesters.

For the first time, Sudanese soldiers intervened on Monday to protect protesters demanding the end of President Omar al-Bashir’s rule after security forces tried to disperse a sit-in in front of the army’s General Command compound in central Khartoum.

The compound includes the Ministry of Defence building, the residence of President Omar al-Bashir and the headquarters of the intelligence service.

Interior Minister, Bishara Juma’a Aror told parliament on Monday that six people were killed in the capital, Khartoum, during protests on Saturday and Sunday, while another was killed in the Western Darfur region of the country.

Sudan has been protesting since last December when the government lifted the price of bread and fuel, after which the protesters demand of al-Bashir’s resignation

E.M