Sudan protesters, police clash as anti-Bashir unrest widens

Stone-throwing Sudanese demonstrators battled security forces in Khartoum on Thursday, witnesses said, and a child and a doctor were reported killed at the start of a fifth week of protests against President Omar al-Bashir’s 30-year-old rule.

Protests also broke out in five other cities in some of the most widespread disturbances since unrest began on Dec. 19. The Sudan Doctors’ Committee, a group linked to the opposition, said a doctor and a child were killed by gunshot wounds to the head during the violence.

Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported deaths.The protests were triggered by price rises and cash shortages but have quickly developed into demonstrations against Bashir.

In the day’s most violent clashes, police in Khartoum’s Burri neighborhood fired rubber bullets and tear gas and chased demonstrators with batons, witnesses said. Several people were overcome with tear gas while some were bruised by rubber bullets and others beaten.

Hundreds of young men and women blocked streets and alleyways with burning tyres, witnesses said. Some hurled stones at security forces.

Many recited the chant that has become the crying call of demonstrators: “Down, that’s it,” to send the message that their only demand is Bashir’s fall.

Demonstrators also taunted security forces by ululating each time a stone-throwing demonstrator hit police, witnesses said.

A live video posted on social media and verified by Reuters showed security forces pointing guns at protesters in Burri. A sound of gunfire could be heard.