Sudan conflict: Death toll reaches 850 since fighting began

The Sudanese Doctors Syndicate announced on Saturday that the death toll in Sudan has reached 850 civilians as the conflict in the East African country has entered its sixth week.

The syndicate also added that the number of those injured has risen to 3,394, in a statement cited by the Turkish Anadolu news agency.

They further said that "the continuation of clashes has led to more casualties in the capital Khartoum and a number of other states".

On Thursday, the NGO stated that the death toll stood at 832, while those injured numbered 3,329.

The Medical Syndicate further stressed that "numerous deaths and injuries" have not been counted in the inventory, as it was "unable to reach hospitals" due to the increase in the difficulty of movement and the aggravated security situation in the country.

Fighting in Sudan began on 15 April between the Sudanese Army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as 'Hemedti'.

The fighting between the rival military factions has plunged the country into chaos and a humanitarian crisis, which has seen thousands of Sudanese flee their homes in the hopes of finding safety in the neighbouring countries of Egypt, Chad and Ethiopia, among others.

The crisis has also prompted the looting of several buildings, including businesses, embassies and places of worship.

Meanwhile, stocks of food, cash, and essentials are rapidly dwindling.

On Friday, al-Burhan removed Dagalo as his deputy on the ruling council they lead. He was replaced with former rebel leader Malik Agar.

In a statement on Saturday, Agar said he had accepted the position in order to help "secure peace and support" for the upcoming agricultural season, whose failure would spell widespread hunger.

"My message to the RSF is that there is no way for stability except with one united army," he added, but it remains unclear how much influence he will have on either side.

Agencies contributed to this report.