Fighting continues in Sudan as death toll rises in Northeast African nation

Clashes between Sudan's military and the main paramilitary force have left dozens dead, while control over key sections of the capital Khartoum is in doubt after disputed claims from both sides, as the battle rages on for the second consecutive day in the Northeast African country.

The conflict between the two sides resumed on Sunday, as heavy fighting between military rivals has led to the number of casualties rising to 56 across the country, injuring at least 600, according to the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors.

Earlier during the day, the Sudanese military launched air strikes on a base controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group near the capital in a bid to reassert control over the country.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

The RSF claims that they have successfully seized the presidential palace and the Khartoum airport, but the Sudanese armed forces denied their claim and stated that they are the ones who are in charge of the sites, as fighting continued overnight.

The fierce clashes have also led Sudanese telecom provider MTN Telecommunications to block internet services in the country on the orders of the government telecommunications regulator, two officials from the company told Reuters.

The air force late Saturday urged people to stay indoors as it continued air strikes targeting RSF bases.

Footage obtained from AFP showed heavy smoke emerging from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum.

The military said that a building “caught fire” amid the clashes, but that it had been contained.

Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE along with the African Union have called to immediately end the fighting and to engage in dialogue to settle the dispute.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its concern over what is taking place in the Muslim and brotherly country of Sudan," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani was quoted as saying on Saturday.

UN chief Antonio Guterres also called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities"

The African Union's Peace and Security Council has called an emergency session on Sunday to discuss political and security developments in Sudan.