At least nine protesters were shot dead in Sudan on Thursday, as large crowds took to the streets to rally against the military leadership that seized power eight months ago, the Sudanese doctors reported.
The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) said hundreds of protestors were injured by security forces using tear gas and live bullets in an attempt to disperse the protestors.
CCSD reports that two civilians were killed in Khartoum city, six in Omdurman and one in Bahri. In total, CCSD said 112 people have lost their lives since the military coup last year.
According to eye witnesses, this was the first time in months of protests that internet and phone services had been cut.The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in a statement condemned the use of excessive violence by the security forces.
Last October, the military led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan toppled the transitional government, triggering rallies demanding civilian rule.
The protests in the capital and other cities marked the third anniversary of demonstrations during the uprising that overthrew long-time autocratic ruler Omar al-Bashir and led to a power-sharing arrangement between civilian groups and the military.
June 30 also marks the day Bashir took power in a coup in 1989.