World News | U.S. urges Sudanese warring parties to return to ceasefire talks and abide by truce

CAIRO, June 1 (AP) — The United States on Thursday urged Sudan’s warring sides to resume ceasefire talks and work together to honor a lasting truce after peace efforts collapsed again.

The State Department’s call came after the Sudanese military suspended its participation in talks with rival paramilitary forces in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

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Fighting broke out in mid-April between Sudanese forces led by General Abdul Fattah Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces commanded by General Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo. According to the Sudanese Doctors Organization, the violence has killed at least 866 civilians, although the actual death toll is likely much higher.

At least 17 civilians were killed on Wednesday when heavy shelling near a market in a block south of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, emerged on Wednesday, Sudanese doctor Syndicate said.

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The withdrawal of the Sudanese military from the talks is a setback for Washington and Riyadh, which have been mediating between the two sides.

“The United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are prepared to resume facilitating the suspended discussions once forces from both sides demonstrate through actions that they are serious about adhering to the ceasefire agreement,” the State Department said.

Washington and Riyadh brokered a ceasefire on May 21 to allow humanitarian aid and the restoration of vital services. A ceasefire has been declared seven times since the conflict erupted, but has been violated on all occasions.

Late Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo, Norway, that the two sides continued to violate a ceasefire renewed last Monday.

“We’re going to continue to engage. In the meantime, we’re looking at what steps we can take to make our case,” Blinken said.

In late May, Blinken threatened Sudan’s warring generals with possible sanctions if they violated the ceasefire.

Last week, Riyadh and Washington accused the military of continuing the airstrikes, while condemning Rapid Support Forces for occupying people’s homes and confiscating property. It added that the thefts took place in areas controlled by forces from both sides.

Nearly seven weeks of fighting have reduced Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, to an urban battlefield, leaving many areas without power or water. The clashes have also sparked ethnic violence in West Darfur, killing hundreds. (Associated Press)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)