Sudan's military announced the recapture of an air base in Khartoum after heavy battles with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while the Sudan Medical Association confirmed the suspension of a large number of hospitals within the scope of the clashes.

A military source told Al Jazeera that the army recaptured the "Nujumi" air base in Jabal Awliya, south of Khartoum, noting that the base entered service as soon as it was retaken from the rapid support.

The source also pointed out that the base had been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces since the beginning of the events on April 15 and was retaken after fierce battles inside the air base.

Fighting escalated on Sunday in several areas of Khartoum, a day after a truce brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States, which was supposed to last five days, expired.

Al-Jazeera correspondent reported hearing heavy weapons in Al-Ghaba Street, the industrial zone and Al-Hilla Al-Jadida in Khartoum, in addition to the sound of successive explosions in southern Omdurman.

During yesterday's fighting, Sudanese warplanes cut off gatherings of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Al-Jarif area, east of Khartoum.

In the west of the country, reports of heavy clashes yesterday took place in the city of Kutum in North Darfur state, killing about 40 people, activists said.

The Governor of Darfur, Minni Arko Minawi, has declared the region a disaster area, saying he is in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

The seven-week conflict has killed hundreds and injured thousands of civilians, displaced nearly 7.1 million people within the country and 2,400 fled to neighbouring countries.


Humanitarian repercussions

On the humanitarian side, the Sudanese Medical Syndicate Committee confirmed that more than 60 hospitals located in the areas of clashes have become completely out of service, due to the ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.

A statement published by the syndicate on its official Facebook page said that out of 89 hospitals in Khartoum and the states, 59 are out of service and 30 are fully or partially operational, and are also threatened with closure due to the lack of medical staff, medical supplies, water and electricity.

The Sudan Medical Syndicate said that 17 hospitals have been bombed and 21 have been forcibly evicted since fighting broke out in mid-April, noting that 11 ambulances were attacked by military forces.

The statement added that all health facilities in the city of El Geneina in West Darfur state are still out of service after being attacked and looted.

At the same time, the Sudan Medical Association published a list of 19 doctors, medical staff and medical students killed in the clashes.


Statements by Hemedti

On the other hand, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohammed Hamdan Daglo (Hemedti) said that he held a phone call yesterday with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan in which they discussed the overall situation in Sudan in light of the efforts made by the Saudi-American mediation.

Hemedti said on his official Facebook page that he had assured the Saudi foreign minister of his support for the Jeddah talks and his full commitment to the Declaration on the Protection of Civilians and to continue working to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Sudanese military commander also welcomed the joint statement issued by Saudi Arabia and the United States yesterday on mediation efforts.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry did not issue a statement on the call, which was reported on Hemedti's Facebook page.

In a statement published yesterday, Saudi Arabia and the United States called on the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces to reach a new ceasefire agreement and effectively implement it with the aim of building a permanent cessation of military operations.

A Saudi foreign ministry statement said Riyadh and Washington were keen to resume Sudanese talks, which began late last month in Jeddah before being suspended.